A comparative analysis of growth in maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids of different genetic profiles depending on type of nitrogen fertilizer and magnesium dose

摘要

The paper presents results of 3-year field trials (2009-2011), aiming at a comparative analysis of growth in maize cultivars of different genetic profiles depending on the type of nitrogen fertilizer and magnesium dose at the cob flowering stage (BBCH 67). Investigations were conducted at the Department of Agronomy, the Poznań University of Life Sciences, in the fields of the Teaching and Experimental Station in Swadzim. A comparative analysis of maize (Zea mays L.) growth was based on the assimilating area of a single plant and the following indexes: SLA (specific leaf area), LWF (leaf weight fraction), SWF (stem weight fraction), EWF (ear weight fraction), LAI (leaf area index) and LAR (leaf area ratio). No significant differences were noticed between the tested types of nitrogen fertilizers in terms of values of discussed traits. These values differed significantly in relation to the treatment with no nitrogen application. It was shown that the application of magnesium had no significant effect on the analyzed growth parameters in the tested types of maize cultivars. The stay-green hybrid turned out to be a leafy cultivar, as evidenced by the greater number of leaves per ha, assimilating area of a single plant, leaf area index (LAI), leaf weight and the proportion of leaves in plant mass. Cultivar ES Paroli SG was characterized by a more efficient transport of assimilates, as determined by the value of specific leaf area (SLA).