Effect of planting/irrigation techniques and nitrogen levels on growth, total chlorophyll, development, yield, and quality of maize (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment conducted during 2010 and 2011, in split plot design with 3 replications. One row in FIRB every furrow irrigation increased plant height by 7.94%, stem girth by 46.47%, and dry matter yield at maturity by 23.69% over conventional practice. Leaves increased, by 19.26 and 24.65%, leaf area by 25.83 and 26.65% over conventional practice at 60 and 90 DAS and total chlorophyll by 1.91 and 1.82% at 30 and 60 DAS, respectively. That also advanced, tasseling by 10.26 and 10.36% and silking by 8.99 and 8.39%, increased grain yield by 61.79 and 59.68%, stover yield by 30.05 and 30.32% and starch content by 3.50 and 3.19% over conventional practice during 2010 and 2011, respectively. Application of 150 kg N/ha resulted 21.71 and 2.58% higher grain and stover yield over 100 kg N/ha.