Potassium fertilization effects on growth and yield of hybrid maize under semi-arid conditions of Kandahar province of Afghanistan

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at the main block of Tarnak Farm of Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU) Kandahar, Afghanistan during the summer season of 2015, to determine the effects of different potassium fertilizer levels on growth and yields parameters of hybrid maize. The experiment consisted eight potash fertilizer levels viz. 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 kg K2O/ha in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated thrice. Results showed that application of 60 kg K2O/ha significantly improved plant height, leaf area index and gains/cob over control and statistically on par with other higher K levels. The highest dry matter accumulation, grains/row and 1000-grains weight were recorded with the application of 210 kg K2O/ha, which was statistically at par with all other treatments except control. Cob length and grain yield were significantly highest with 180/210 kg K2O/ha which was on par with nutrient level of up to 90 kg K2O/ha. The yield obtained with application of 90 kg K2O/ha was on par with 60 kg K2O/ha. Therefore, it is concluded that application of 60 kg K2O/ha to be recommended for enhancing productivity of hybrid maize under semi-arid condition of Kandahar province of Afghanistan.