INFLUENCE OF BIOFERTILIZER EM1، NITROGEN FERTILIZATION AND REMOVING THE LEAF UNDER EAR ON GROWTH TRAITS، YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS IN CORN (Zea mays L)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of Biofertilizer EM1, Nitrogen fertilization and removing the leaf under ear on growth traits, grain yield and its components of corn (Zea mays L.), in two locations for the autumn season 2009. The first location was in Mosul City، while the second was in Salamya 34 Km southern Mosul city. The split- split plot arrangement in Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D) with three replications was used. The experiment included four levels of Biofertilizer EM1 (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 cc/Liter), two levels of Nitrogen fertilization (zero, 120Kg N/ha) and two treatments of removing and non removing of leaf under ear . Nitrogen fertilization levels, Biofertilizer EM1 and removing leaf under ear were represented as Main plots, sub plots and sub sub plots respectively. The results indicated that nitrogen fertilization level 120kg N/ha was significantly superior as compared with non nitrogen fertilization in all growth traits: number of days to 75% flowering، stem length, leaf area, leaf area index، leaves and stem dry weight. Grain yield and its components: ear length, number of rows per ear, number of grains per rows، weight of 500 grains، grains yield and harvest index. Grain quality: protein percentage and yield, oil percentage and yield in both locations. Increasing of Biofertilizer EM1 levels caused significant increase in all growth traits, grain yield and its components and grain quality in both locations. Removing the leaf under ear was significantly superior compared with non removing in all growth traits, grain yield and its components and grain quality in both locations.