Effect of potassium fertilizer and control of Corn stem borer on some growth characteristics of two varieties of maize Zea mays L.

Abstract

Afield experiment was conducted in alluviul clay–loam soil in college of Agriculture Al-Anbar university during the growing season of 2002. The were 4 levels of potassium fertilizer (0, 20, 40, 60) kg k/ ha (K2SO4 41% K), two insecticides including (cruiser and diazinon) and two varieties of Corn (Buhooth 106, IPA 5012). Results can be summarized as follows:IPA 5012 genotype recorded less day number from sowing upto 50% male flowering and gave alowest percentage of infestation for both season, while Buhooth 106 genotype recorded ahighest mean of plant length, leaf area and dry weight of plant.Plants fertilized whith 60 Kg K / ha gave ahighest means in plant length and plant dry weight, that level also recorded alowest percentage of infestation.Treatment of control plant with insecticide cruiser showed alowest percentage of infestation and highe significant in plant length, plant dry weight for both seasons and leaf area in autumn.The interaction between genotype and potassium fertilizer had asignificant effects (P<0.05) in flowering earliness until 50% flowering male for spring season and plant dry weight in autumn season.The interaction between the insecticide (cruiser) and potassium fertilizer 60 Kg K / ha resulted in highest length of plant (184.70 cm) and the interaction between this insecticide and fertilizer with 40 kg k / ha gave ahighest mean of leaf area (6340.25 cm2 / plant) in autumn season only.