Effect of Various Nitrogen Carriers and Irrigation Regimes on Translocation of Nitrogen forms in Maize (Zea mays L.) with Two Different Growth Periods: A Column Study

A column study was conducted during summer-2012 at Anand. The treatments comprised each of three levels of nitrogen carriers (prilled urea, urea super granule and neem coated urea) and irrigation regimes (8.0, 6.0 and 4.0 cm depth) as well as two growth periods (40 and 80 days after sowing) in soil column under completely randomized design keeping two repetitions. The soil (loamy sand) belongs to the soil order Inceptisols (Typic Ustochrept) with 7.8 pH, 0.35 % OC, low in available N and S, medium in available P2O5 and K2O. Results from this study suggested that NH4+-N due to different nitrogen carriers were decreased while NO3–-N was increased with increase in depth of soil. The NH4+ and NO3– nitrogen were found higher in soil column under application of USG followed by NCU and prilled urea. The amount of NH4+-N was progressively increased but NO3–-N was decreased with increase in depth of irrigation. The NH4+ and NO3– nitrogen throughout the column was significantly higher when analyzed during later growth stage as compared to that of early growth period of 40 DAS. Looking to the significant interactions between nitrogen carriers and irrigation regimes in case of N forms in root indicated that use of NCU and/or USG under different irrigation regimes were benefited. Thus present study conclude that use of either slow released nitrogenous fertilizer like USG or nitrification inhibitor materials like NCU enhanced the biological yield and nutrients uptake by maize. They also provide NO3–-N during crop growth period. The effect of limited use of irrigation water was more pronounced on reduction of transport of NO3–-N in lower depth of soil.