Abstract

                                Field experiments to study the influence of increased nitrogen fertilizer application on phenological parameters in five maize hybrids were conducted in the experimental field at Eastern Block of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during kharif and rabi, 2012. The experiment was laid in strip plot design and the factors were five maize hybrids in main plot (CMH 08 - 282, CMH 08 – 337, CMH 08 – 350, NK 6240, 900 M Gold) and four nitrogen levels 135 (100%), 155.25 (115%), 175.50 (130%) and 195.75 (145%) kg N ha-1) in sub plot. The results revealed that maize hybrids and nitrogen levels influenced the phenological parameters of all the maize hybrids in both the seasons. The occurrence of 50 % tasseling and physiological maturity were slower under higher nitrogen dose (195.75 kg N ha-1) than lower nitrogen level (135 kg N ha-1). Number of grains per cob was higher with higher nitrogen application in both the seasons in NK 6240 and lower in the same hybrid at lesser nitrogen dose.

Key words : Maize, Tasseling, Physiological maturity, Nitrogen.