Performance of autumn planted maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids at various nitrogen levels under salt affected soils

Experiment was conducted to determine the response of two maize hybrids to nitrogen grown in salt affected soil. Both the maize hybrids differed significantly with respect to growth and yield performance. The response of hybrid Pioneer 32B33 was better with respect to growth and yield as compared to Dekalb 979. Maximum leaf area index and crop growth rate was found 60 days after sowing and after that it declined towards harvest. Nitrogen application increased leaf production and total leaf area for light interception for photosynthesis. Application of nitrogen at a level higher than recommended significantly improved the physiological parameters like leaf area index, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate and yield attributes compared to control but it was at par with the optimal level of nitrogen. The economical yield can be obtained by application of optimal level (225 kg ha -1 ) of nitrogen. Key word: Nitrogen, salt tolerance, growth, yield, yield components