Varietal Performance of Hybrid Corn Fertilized with Ammonium Fertilizers in an Alkaline Soil Under Drought Conditions

Abstract

Nitrogen is a vital nutrient that becomes a growth-limiting factor in alkaline soils. Opting for high-quality ammonia fertilizer ensures that crops receive optimal nutrition, tailored to their specific requirements, and facilitates the easier absorption and utilization of nutrients by the soil. A field experiment was conducted to determine the response of corn varieties in alkaline soil applied with different ammonium fertilizers in terms of growth, yield, and physicochemical characteristics. The study was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design looking into four varieties; two high yielding and two low yielding, applied with two kinds of ammonia fertilizer: di-ammonium phosphate (18-46-0, 187.5 grams/ linear meter) and ammonium sulfate (21-0-0, 225 grams/linear meter) based on the 90 N recommended rate. To supplement the P and K requirement, 10 t/ha of organic fertilizer was applied to all treatments. Regarding the high-yielding varieties, one favored ammonium sulfate fertilization in terms of plant height (185.10 ± 0.59 cm), days to silking (57.70 ± 6.05 days), and tasseling (51.83 ± 0.66 days), as well as total soluble solids (1.53 ± 0.08 Brix). The other favored di-ammonium phosphate fertilization in terms of ear weight (118.21 ± 13.91 g/ear), grain weight (98.42 ±  6.35 g/ear), and ear diameter (4.09 ± 0.16 cm). On the other hand, neither of the low-yielding varieties was affected by the type of ammonium fertilizer, except for titratable acidity (34.50 ± 0.49%). Showing, therefore, high-yielding varieties being more responsive to the type of ammonium fertilizer.