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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the responses of hybrid maize varieties, Bisi-321, -286, and -234, to contrasted fertilizer dosages as well as the effects of plant density and animal manure in fodder proximate analysis and yield of corn ear at different harvest periods. The experiment was established in 972 m2-cut-fill landscape with a raised bed, which distributed on 27 plots. A 10 Mt ha-1 animal manure was applied. Three different fertilizer treatments, 100% fertilizer dosage (T0), 50% fertilizer dosage+foliar fertilizer (T1), and 100% fertilizer dosage+foliar fertilizer (T2), were used. The optimum shoot biomass was obtained between 85 and 95 days after planting (DAP). The corn size increased around twofold from 75 to 85 DAP, marking the onset of the rapid grain-filling phase in developing kernels. The contents of starch (232.1-246.8 mg g-1) and crude fat (36.7 mg g-1) peaked at 85 DAP. In this period, crude fibre, ash, and protein were 247.1, 55.1, 115.4 mg g-1, respectively. A density of 2 plants point-1 increased fodder biomass and weight of corn ear by 71.5 and 78.9%, respectively, over 1 plant point-1. Bisi-321 and -286 exhibited strong response to foliar fertilizer when applied as supplementary, producing 53.5-54.0 Mt fodder biomass ha-1, while Bisi-234 produced the highest weight of corn ear (340 g point-1) with estimated grain yield of 5.2 Mt ha-1 with 100% fertilizer dosage. Application of animal manure was effective in improving plant growth, particularly fodder biomass. In conclusion, cut-fill area is recommended for hybrid maize cultivation using a density of 2 plants point-1 and Bisi-234 is well-suited for grain production.The optimal period for harvesting green fodder biomass was 85 DAP. Keywords: Fertilizer dosage, Plant density, Seedbed system, Suboptimal land.

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