Maize growth in response to cropping system, site and nitrogen fertilization

Abstract

Maize is often grown on the same land year after year as sole crops and this result in lower yield from monocropped maize. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of cropping system, location and nitrogen fertilization on maize growth parameters. The study comprised three cropping systems (cowpea-maize rotation, monocropping maize and intercropped maize), three locations (Potchefstroom, Taung and Rustenburg) and two rates of nitrogen fertilizers applied at each location (0 and 95 kg ha- at Potchefstroom, 0 and 92 at Rustenburg, 0 and 113.5 at Taung). The study was a factorial experiment randomised in complete block design with three replications, conducted during 2011/12 and 2012/13 planting seasons. Measured parameters were days to 100% tasseling, maize plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area and stem diameter. Cropping system, location, nitrogen fertilizer and season had significant effects (p<0.05) on maize leaf area and plant height. Maize planted at Potchefstroom had significantly larger stem diameter than maize planted at Taung and Rustenburg. Rotational cropping system had significant role in terms of maize phenological growth. Location and nitrogen fertilization also had a significant influence on growth of maize plants.