Estimation of genetic improvement of maize in Ghana under three levels of nitrogen application

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2013-08-14
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The Crop Research Institute of Ghana has released quality protein maize and hybrids into the Ghanaian market for full utilization by farmers and researchers to enhance food security in the country. The research was conducted to estimate the genetic improvement of maize in Ghana under three levels of nitrogen fertilizer application. The experiment was conducted in the 2011 major and minor seasons at Kwadaso and Fumesua. The genotypes comprised of 3 hybrids, 6 open- pollinated varieties (OPV’s), 1 local variety and 4 inbred lines released from 1955 to 2010. The experimental design used was 3 × 14 factorial in a randomized complete block design in split-plot arrangement, with four replications in each environment. The nitrogen levels were 0, 45 and 90 kg N /ha randomized in the main plot and genotypes as the sub-plots. The analysis of variance showed that the effects due to environments, nitrogen levels, and genotypes were highly significant (P<0.01) for grain yield and other agronomic traits measured. The differences among genotypes were highly significant (P< 0.01) for grain yield and other agronomic traits. Genotype X Environment interactions were highly significant (p < 0.01) for grain yield, days to mid-silks, days to mid- anthesis, plant height, ear height, lodging, rust, blight, cob aspect, shelling percentage, 1000 seed weight and cob length. The response to nitrogen in terms of the genotypes ascertain that the hybrids out yielded the open- pollinated varieties and local variety at 0, 45, 90 kg N/ha respectively. Yields of hybrids responded positively over OPV’s with an increased with nitrogen levels from 0 kg N/ha to 45 kg N/ha. Hybrids were also the most stable and highest yielding varieties under high nitrogen environments. It is recommended that farmers should be encouraged to buy and use hybrid seed to take advantage of their high yields under low N.
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A thesis submitted to the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Agronomy (Plant Breeding),
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