Field Performance of Quatity Protein Maize With Zinc and Magnesium Fertilizers in the Sub-Humid Savanna of Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted for three years (2006-2008) in Samaru 686m above sea level in Nigeria. The objective was to test the response of two Quality Protein Maize varieties to four levels each of Zinc and Magnesium using their carbonates. The experiments were arranged in all possible factorial combinations and laid out as randomised complete block design and replicated three times. The two varieties tested did not differ significantly in all the parameters evaluated except for the number of days to 50% tasselling. Magnesium application influenced grain yield on 2008 only when 1.25 kg Mg/ha increased yield compared with plots with 5.0kg mg/ha. When averaged over the three years, Mg application did not significantly influence grain yield, but increased protein yield. Grain yield correlated positively and significantly with leaf area index, plant height, TDM and protein yield. Protein content of grain remained unchanged with changes in Zinc and Magnesium rates at 8%.