INTER-RELATIONSHIPS OF APPLIED NITROGEN, SPAD, AND YIELD OF LEAFY AND NON-LEAFY MAIZE GENOTYPES

Abstract

The SPAD chlorophyll meter was found to be a reliable, quick, and non-destructive tool used for directly measuring leaf chlorophyll and indirectly assessing the proportional parameter of leaf, and by extension, plant nitrogen (N) status. The meter has been used successfully to assess leaf N in conventional maize crops, but it has not been used with new maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes containing leafy (L) and reduced stature (RS) traits. SPAD meter readings were collected on the uppermost fully developed leaves (before silking) and on the ear leaf (after silking) of field grown maize genotypes with and without the L and RS traits. The experiment was conducted during 1996 and 1997 at two sites in Eastern Canada (Ottawa and Montreal). At each site in each year, a split plot arrangement of two treatment factors was used in a randomized complete block design with four blocks. The main plot treatments were levels of N (0, 85, 170, and 255 kg ha⁻¹), with six maize genotypes as subplot treatments. The hybrids included: (i) leafy reduced-stature, LRS, (ii) non-leafy normal stature, NLNS, (iii) leafy normal stature, (LNS), (iv) non-leafy reduced-stature, NLRS, (v) conventional commercial hybrids, Pioneer 3905 as the hybrid check for late maturity, and (vi) Pioneer 3979, a check for early maturity. The hybrids were chosen on the basis of their contrasting canopies and root architecture. The SPAD meter readings were collected on the same five plant genotypes over time (six times per site per year, except four times for the Ottawa site in 1997). All genotypes showed increasing meter reading values as plants aged until silking. In general, SPAD meter readings increased as N fertilization level increased at each measurement date for both sites and years. In general, LNS and P3905 hybrids showed greater SPAD meter readings than other hybrids at all sampling dates for both sites and growing seasons. Applied N rates were significantly correlated with the SPAD meter readings. More highly significant relationships were found for N fertilizer levels and SPAD meter readings for the hybrids in 1997 than for the hybrids in 1996. For the Montreal site in 1997, LRS, LNS and P3905 hybrids were among those showing the highest r values between N level and SPAD readings. The correlation coefficients between SPAD readings and grain yield were generally lower. However, the NLNS hybrid had a high SPAD-yield correlation at the Macdonald site in 1997.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Appreciation is extended to Lynne Evenson, Teshome Melkamu, and Peter Neave for their assistance in field data collection. This research was supported partially by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through a Collaborative Research Grant. The senior author is grateful to the Brazilian Post-Graduate Federal Agency (CAPES) for financial support.