S. K. Khalil

Impact of Various Ratios of Nitrogen and Sulfur on Maize and Soil pH in Semiarid Region

ABSTRACT Nitrogen and sulfur play an important role in maize production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) levels applied in various ratios on maize hybrid Babar yield at Peshawar in 2011 and 2013. Four N levels (120, 160, 200 and 240 kg N ha−1) and four S levels (20, 25, 30 and 35 kg S ha−1) were applied in three splits: a, at sowing; b, V8 stage; c, VT stage in ratios of 10:50:40, 20:50:30 and 30:50:20. Grains ear−1, thousand grain weight, grain yield ha−1 and soil pH were significantly affected by years (Y), N, S and their ratios, while no effect of N, S and their ratios was noted on ears plant−1. Maximum grains ear−1 (390), thousand grain weight (230.1 g) and grain yield (4119 kg ha−1) were recorded in 2013. N increased grains ear−1 (438), thousand grain weight (252 g) and grain yield (5001 kg ha−1) up to 200 kg N ha−1. Each increment of S increased grains ear−1 and other parameters up to 35 kg S ha−1, producing maximum grains ear−1 (430), thousand grain weight (245 g) and grain yield (4752 kg ha−1), while soil pH decreased from 8.06 to 7.95 with the application of 35 kg S ha−1. In the case of N and S ratios, more grains ear−1 (432), heavier thousand grains (246.7 g) and higher grain yield (4806 kg ha−1) were observed at 30:50:20 where 30% of N and S were applied at sowing, 50% at V8 and 20% at VT stage. It is concluded that 200 kg N ha−1 and 35 kg S ha−1 applied in the ratio of 30% at sowing, 50% at V8 and 20% at VT stage is recommended for obtaining a higher yield of maize hybrid Babar.