Effect of removal of the upper stem of the ear (topping) and nitrogen application on maize for dual-purpose production of fodder and seed

Abstract

Maize is a plant cultivated as fodder or seed. The seeds of this plant are used for poultry and the fresh fodder or silage is required for animal husbandry. In the research, the dual-purpose cropping possibility of maize for fodder and seed harvesting under nitrogen application was assessed. A field experiment and a laboratory experiment were conducted in 2014. The field experiment was performed as a split-plot design. Studied factors were the topping factor (topping (stem removal at the top of the ear) or no topping) and nitrogen fertilizer factor (nitrogen application of 0, 75, and 150 kg ha-1). In the laboratory experiment, germination traits of produced seeds from the maternal plant under topping and nitrogen were studied. Results showed that no topping had the highest ear weight. Topping and nitrogen did not affect seed number per maize ear row. Topping had a lower 100-seed weight and seed yield than no topping. Nitrogen did not affect seed yield and 100-seed weight. Topping and nitrogen application did not affect germination percentage, radical length, caulicle length, and vigor of produced seed at the seed milking stage. Nitrogen application at this stage could not compensate for the damage caused by the topping. Maize topping at the seed dough stage may be evaluated in future studies.