Corn Fertilization Management in Egypt

Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops in the world and in Egypt. Therefore, the present work was designed to investigate the response of corn to nitrogen and manganese fertilization. Two field experiments were conducted during two successive growing seasons of 1997 and 1998. The effect of four nitrogen levels, three manganese nutrient rates and three methods of Mn applications on the growth, grain yield and its components as well as grain quality of maize were investigated. The soil of the experimental plots was clay texture (pH value 7.91, CaCO3 3.89 % and organic matter 1.98 %, 17.3 mg/kg available N and 8.5 mg/kg available Mn). A spilt-plot in a randomized complete block design with four replications was used; the main plots were devoted for nitrogen levels, the sub-plot for Mn levels and their methods of applications. The results of the experiments could be summarized as follows: The highest grain yield and its quality were generally recorded by foliar application or soaking grains with 70 mg Mn /l plus 150 kg N/fed in Qaliuobia Gavernorate. In all cases, consideration should be given to the actual available contents of the nutrient in the soil itself.