Effect of nitrogen on fresh ear yield and kernel protein content of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata) under upper Mesopotamia region of Turkey

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2003 and 2004 at Sanliurfa, Turkey, to study the effects of different nitrogen application rates (120, 160, 200, 240, 280, 320 and 360 kg/ha) on fresh ear yield and kernel protein content of sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata Sturt). N levels were significant for fresh ear yield and protein content of kernel. Increasing nitrogen applications increased the fresh ear yield and protein content of kernel. The N use efficiency increased up to 740 kg/ha dosage (60.7 and 56.8%), but later it decreased in both years. When the regression analysis, economic considerations, climate and environment pollution evaluated together, optimum nitrogen dosage was 280 kg/ha along with the soil nitrogen content for 'Jubilee' sweet corn grown in semi-arid region.