Assessment of the impact of NP fertilizer application depth on the rate of initial dry matter accumulation of maize (Zea mays L.)

Summary A field study was conducted at the Department of Agronomy of Poznań University of Life Sciences to determine the effect of the depth of NP fertilizer application in maize cultivation on the dynamics of initial maize growth, expressed in dry matter of a single plant at two juvenile maize stages. The adopted assumptions were verified on the basis of a four-year field experiment using four depths of NP fertilizer application, two nitrogen fertilizers and two nitrogen dose application dates. Thermal conditions in the early maize growing season had a significant effect on maize response to the depth of application of a phosphorus starting dose. Row fertilization (regardless of the depth of fertilizer application) was more effective than broadcast fertilization at both studied developmental stages.