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Ahmed Uzair

Foliar Zinc and Soil Applied Molybdenum Optimize Yield and Dry Matter Partitioning of Lentil

Mar 18, 2024 |

Shams Ur Rehman, Uzair Ahmed, Ayesha Zahoor, Zia Ur Rahman, Ikram Ullah, Salman Khan, Rizwan Ali, Osama Muhammad Jafar, Muhammad Taimoor, Aamir Sohail, Sajid Ali

ABSTRACT. A field experiment on the effect of zinc and molybdenum application on the yield of lentil was carried out at The University of Agriculture Peshawar during the Rabi season of 2021. The experiment was carried out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Four levels of molybdenum (0, 1, 2 and 3 kg ha−1) and 0.5% zinc foliar spray at different intervals of lentil crop (control, 50 days after sowing, 100 days after sowing, 50 days after sowing + 100 days after sowing) were tested in the experiment. The results revealed that 3 kg ha−1 of molybdenum enhanced plant height (55 cm), nodules plant−1 (25), branches plant−1 (7), days to flowering (107) and maturity (159), dry matter of leaves at the flowering stage (64 g m−2), dry matter of leaves at the maturity stage (113 g m−2), dry matter of branches at the physiological maturity stage (304 g m−2), dry matter of pods at the maturity stage (439 g m−2), pods plant−1 (92), seeds pod−1 (2.0), 1000-seed weight (31 g), biological yield (3207 kg ha−1), and seed yield (1002 kg ha−1). Zinc foliar spray (0.5%) at 50 days after sowing + 100 days after sowing of lentil crop improved the dry matter of leaves at the flowering stage (62 g m−2), days to first flowering (109), days to physiological maturity (157), dry matter of leaves at the physiological maturity stage (111 g m−2), dry matter of pods at the physiological maturity stage (435 g m−2), pods plant−1 (91), 1000 seed weight (32 g), biological yield (3236 kg ha−1) and seed yield (1026 kg ha−1). Lastly, scatterplots revealed a significant correlation of grain and biological yield with their components. It is concluded that molybdenum application at a rate of 3 kg ha−1 and 0.5% zinc foliar spray at 50 days after sowing + 100 days after sowing of the lentil crop increased seed yield and is thus recommended for the Peshawar region.

Keywords: correlation; cropping system; fertilisation; Lens culinaris L.

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Comparing Fodder Production of Maize Varieties under Varied Nitrogen Levels

Jan 15, 2024 |

Haseeb Ahmad, Uzair Ahmed, Ikram Ullah, Hamza Masud

ABSTRACT. Maize (Zea mays L.) plays a significant role as a fodder crop, supporting rural populations and livestock. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, there is a shortage of green fodder due to the unbalanced use of fertiliser and improper selection of maize varieties for fodder production. This research aimed to address the need for quality fodder by studying the effects of nitrogen (N) on new maize varieties, ultimately enhancing livestock production and agricultural sustainability. The experiment took place in the summer of 2022 at the Cereal Crop Research Institute in Pakistan. Adopting an RCB design with three replications, fodder maize varieties (Jalal, Kaptan and Jumbo) were tested with four N levels (0, 100, 150, 200 kg N ha−1) applied during sowing, knee (V4), and silking stages. The data upon analysis revealed that different maize varieties had a significant impact on the studied parameters. Maize varieties affected days to tasselling and silking, with the Jumbo variety recording the longest duration (59 and 62, respectively). Similar results were observed for days to milking, with the Jumbo variety taking the longest time (80 days). It also recorded a higher leaf number (11.5), leaf area (478 cm−2) and leaf area index (3.4). Fresh fodder (67,777 kg ha−1) and dry fodder yield (23,424 kg ha−1) were higher for the Jumbo variety. In terms of N application, tasselling (59) and silking (62) took more days when 150 and 200 kg N ha−1 was applied compared to the control. Compared to the control plots (83 days), 200 kg N delayed the milking stage by 10 days. A higher but statistically similar leaf count, leaf area and leaf area index were recorded with 150 and 200 kg N ha−1. The plant height of maize was also higher, with 150 (196 cm) and 200 kg N ha−1 (202 cm). Lastly, a higher fresh fodder and dry fodder yield was associated with 150 and 200 kg N ha−1. Based on these results, the Jumbo variety, with the application of 150 kg N ha−1, is recommended for cultivation for economic feasibility and to obtain a higher fodder yield of maize.

Keywords: dry fodder yield; fodder maize; fresh fodder yield.

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© by the authors; licensee Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment, Iasi, Romania. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)