N-use efficiency of single, double and synthetic maize lines grown at four N levels in three ecological zones of West Africa

• Published in: Field crops research Vol. 60; no. 3; pp. 189 - 199
• Main Authors: Akintoye, H.A, Kling, J.G, Lucas, E.O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.1999
• Subjects: ABSORCION DE SUSTANCIAS NUTRITIVAS; ABSORPTION DE SUBSTANCES NUTRITIVES; AFRICA OCCIDENTAL; AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE; application rate; AZOTE; calcium ammonium nitrate; CROP YIELD; cultivars; EFFICACITE; EFFICIENCY; EFICACIA; ENVIRONMENT; ENVIRONNEMENT; flowering; genotype-environment interaction; Hybrid; hybrids; MEDIO AMBIENTE; N-uptake efficiency; N-use efficiency; N-utilization efficiency; Nigeria; NITROGEN; NITROGENO; nutrient availability; NUTRIENT UPTAKE; RENDEMENT DES CULTURES; RENDIMIENTO DE CULTIVOS; VARIEDADES; VARIETE; VARIETIES; WEST AFRICA; ZEA MAYS; Zea mays L; Nigeria; Hybrid; N-use efficiency; N-uptake efficiency; West Africa; Zea mays L; N-utilization efficiency
• ISSN: 0378-4290; 1872-6852
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-4290(98)00122-1

Efficiencies in uptake and use of N by maize cultivars have been widely studied, but little has been done on this subject in West Africa. Six single-cross hybrids, three double-cross hybrids and a synthetic line were grown at different N levels (0–210 kg N ha −1) in three ecological zones of West Africa. The maize cultivars differed widely in grain yield and N-accumulation parameters. Most cultivars absorbed similar amounts of N ranging from 2.04 g plant −1 to 2.60 g plant −1, but produced different grain yields, with those that accumulated more N after silking tending to have higher grain yield. Grain yields in the forest zone were lower than those in two Savanna regions. Differences were also observed for N-uptake (total N-uptake per unit N supplied to the soil), N-utilization (grain produced per unit N absorbed from the soil) and N-use efficiency (NUE) (grain produced per unit N supplied to the soil). Cultivars varied in their response to change in available soil N. The hybrids were more efficient in N-use and its component traits than the synthetic cultivar. Hybrid 1368 × KU1414-SR yielded the most grain as well as exhibiting superior traits for N-uptake and N-use efficiency.