EFFECT OF N APPLICATON AND N SPLITING STRATEGY ON MAIZE N UPTAKE, BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND PHYSIO-AGRONOMIC CHARACTERSTICS

Inefficient use of nitrogen fertilizer, proper application method and time are major constraint for low productivity. Management strategies that maximize N utilization through proper application method and timing by minimizing N losses are necessary for enhancement of maize fodder productivity. A field research experiment was conducted to assess the effect of methods (broadcast, fertigation and side dressing) in combination with different N splitting strategies (140 N kg ha^-1) The effect of one N application dose dose vs. two split (at planting and V4), three split (at planting, V4, and V6), four split (at planting, V4, V6 and V8) and five split (at planting V4, V6, V8 and V10 ) on maize variety Akbar grown for biomass production was evaluaed. The treatment of three splits of N fertilizer at a total rate of 140 kg ha^-1 applied through fertigation at planting, V4 and V6 stages significantly increased number of leaves per plant, plant height, stem girth, biomass production, leaf area index, leaf area duration, crop growth rate, total dry matter, N content and N uptake, However, broadcast and side dressing application methods were ranked at 2nd and 3rd place respectively. It is thus recommended that three split N application of 140 kg ha^-1 through fertigation at planting, V4 and V6 stages could be efficient for achieving good quality characters and maximum biomass production of maize.