MINERAL FERTILIZATION OF THREE MAIZE LINES OBTAINED BY IRRADIATING SEEDS OF THE EV 8728 VARIETY AT DALOA

Maize productivity has been declining sharply in recent years due to the effects of climate change and loss of soil fertility. Maize lines derived from the irradiation of EV 8728 display traits different from those of the parent variety. These new traits (lines 28; 67; 72) are evaluated in a mineral fertilization trial to characterize their mineral requirements. The lines were subjected to increasing doses of nitrogen (N0, 15; 30; 45; 60 and 90 kg/ha), phosphorus (P0; 10; 20; 30; 40 and 50 kg/ha) and potassium (K0; 20; 40; 60; 80; 110 kg/ha). Fertilization with simple N-, P- and K-based fertilizers did not reveal any obvious effect on growth parameters. However, N 15, P10 and K40 for growth, N 60, P30 and K40 for ear weight and N60 K40 for grain number gave the best results. Moreover, with the exception of the EV 8728 control, line 72 showed good growth and production indexes. These results could be improved by making a complete fertilization according to the basic fertility of the soil.