Two field experiments were carried out at the Research and Experi
mental Station of the Faculty of Agriculture at Moshtohor, Zagazig Univer
sity, during 1978 and 1979 seasons. The study was meant to elucidate the
effect of nitrogen fertilization (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/fad.) and addition of
zinc sulphate (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg ZnSO4/fad. to the soil and 0. 3, 0. 6
and 0. 9% Zn504 as foliar application) on some growth characters of maize
(cultivar Double hybrid 19).
Results could be summarized as follows:
1. Dry weight of leaves, stems, reproductive organs, grains as well
as the whole maize plant at different stages of growth were affected mar
kedly by different levels of nitrogen. Similarly, N application increased
plant height, stem diameter and leaf area of the topmost ear in both
seasons. .
2. Zinc fertilization favourably affected growth characters of maize.
Soil application of ZnSO4 up to 20 kg/fad. or spraying foliage with 0. 6%
ZnSO4 increased dry weight of different parts of maize, plant height,
stem diameter and leaf area of topmost ear significantly.
3. Neither N nor Zn did affect the number of leaves/plant.
4. The interaction (N x Zn) affected dry weight of whole plant and
leaf area of topmost ear significantly.