Effect of Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer with NBPT Inhibitor on Popcorn (Zea mays L. everta) Yield and Quality

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of slow-release nitrogen with NBPT inhibitor [(N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT)] fertilizer doses on yield and yield components in popcorn under second crop conditions in Sanlıurfa in 2022 and 2023. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block trial design with 3 replications. In the research, the R-997 popcorn variety was employed as the crop material. Slow-release urea fertiliser with NBPT inhibitor doses were utilised at the following rates: 0, 4 kg da-1, 8 kg da-1, 12 kg da-1, 16 kg da-1, 20 kg da-1, 24 kg da-1, 28 kg da-1, 32 kg da-1, respectively. The analysis of variance revealed that slow-release nitrogen dose applications had a statistically significant impact on several key traits, including the number of kernels per ear, ear diameter, ear length, thousand grain weight, and grain yield (P≤0.01). Furthermore, some quality parameters, including protein ratio, popping volume and unpopped kernel ratio, were also found to be statistically significant (P≤0.01). With the exception of the control, the application of slow-release nitrogen (N) at increasing doses was observed to have a positive effect on the studied traits and grain yield, apart from unpoped kernel. The analysis of regression indicated that the highest grain yield was achieved with the inclusion of the slow-release N with NBPT inhibitor at a dosage of 23 kg N ha-1, while the lowest grain yield was observed in the treatment where no nitrogen was applied. The use of slow-release nitrogen fertilisers may be recommended in areas of high evaporation and hot climates.

Keywords

• grain yield
• popcorn
• popping volume
• NBPT
• slow-release nitrogen

References

1. Avsar, O., Kolay, B., Bilge, U., Bereketoglu, K., Atakul, S. & Yasar, M. (2018). Determination of the effects of different amounts of nitrogen applications by fertigation method on yield and yield parameters of sweet corn. Project Results Report GAP UTAEM, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
2. Aydın, H. (1991). A Study on the effect of different nitrogen doses and row distances on yield and yield components in second crop corn (Zea mays L.) in Cukurova conditions Msc thesis. Cukurova University Institute of Science, 67.
3. Barut, H., Aykanat, S., & Aslan, H. (2022). The effects of using urea with nitrogen stabilizer as top fertilizer on some yield and quality criteria in bread wheat and corn. Journal of Turkish Science and Technology, 10,28-36. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v10i1.28-36.4743
4. Blumental, J. M., Lyon, D. J. & Stroup, W.W. (2003). Optimal plant population and nitrogen fertility for dryland corn in Western Nebraska. Agronomy Journal, 95(4), 878-884. https://doi.org//10.2134/agronj2003.8780
5. Bucak, K., & Akgun, I. (2024). The effect of different nitrogen fertilizer and dose applications on some yield and yield components of popcorn under Isparta ecological conditions. Turkish Journal of Science and Engineering, 6(2), 99-113. https://doi.org/10.55979/tjse.1512449
6. Cahill, S., Osmond, D., & Israel, D. (2010). Nitrogen release from coated urea fertilizers in different soils. Communications in soil science and plant analysis, 41(10), 1245-1256. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103621003721437
7. Cantarella, H., Otto, R., Soares, J. R., & De Brito Silva, A. G. (2018). Agronomic efficiency of NBPT as a urease inhibitor: A review. Journal of Advanced Research, 13,19-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2018.05.008
8. Celebi, S. Z., Sahar, A. K., Celebi, R., & Celen, A. E. (2010). The effect to the silage quality of forms and doses of fertilizer with nitrogen on “TTM-815” maize description (Zea mays L.). Journal of Agriculture Faculty of Ege University, 47(1), 61-69.

9. Chen, Y. L., Xiao, C. X., Wu, D. L., Xia, T. T., Chen, Q. W., Chen, F. J., Yuan, L. X., & Mi, G. H. (2015). Effects of nitrogen application rate on grain yield and grain nitrogen concentration in two maize hybrids with contrasting nitrogen remobilization efficiency. European Journal of Agronomy, 62,79–89. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.eja.2014.09.008
10. Cihangir, H., & Oktem, A. (2019). The effect of different organic nutrients on some quality properties of popcorn (Zea mays L. everta). Asian Food Science Journal, 7(2),1-9. https://doi.org/10.9734/afsj/2019/v7i229965
11. Denizhan, H., Gezer, A., Karahan, R. B., & Aslan, M. (2021). The importance of nutritional elements in almond tree and evaluation of some nutrition studies. Cukurova 6th International Scientific Researches Conference 5, (337-347)
12. Dofing, S. M., Thomas‐Compton, M. A., & Buck, J. S. (1990). Genotype ✕ popping method interaction for expansion volume in popcorn. Crop Science, 30(1),62-65. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1990.0011183X003000010014x
13. Dong, Y. J., He, M. R., Wang, Z. L., Chen, W.F. J., Hou, X., Qiu, K. & Zhang, J.W. (2016). Effects of new coated release fertilizer on the growth of maize. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 16(3), 637-649. dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718- 95162016005000046
14. Eser, C. 2014. The determination of fresh ear and grain yield and important agronomic characteristics of sweet corn varieties (Zea mays L. saccharata Sturt.) in Central Anatolia conditions. Msc thesis. Selcuk University Institute of Science and Technology 90 s, Konya.
15. Guardia, G., García-Gutiérrez, S., Rodríguez-Pérez, R., Recio, J., & Vallejo, A. (2021). Increasing N use efficiency while decreasing gaseous N losses in a non-tilled wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop using a double inhibitor. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 319, 107546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2021.107546
16. Guertal, E.A. (2009). Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers in vegetable production: a review. HortTechnology, 19(1), 16-19. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH.19.1.16
17. Ibrikci, H., Cetin, M., Karnez, E., Kirda, C., Topcu, S., Ryan, J., Oztekin, E. Dingil, M. Korkmaz, K. & Oguz, H. (2012). Spatial and temporal variability of groundwater nitrate concentrations in irrigated Mediterranean agriculture. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 43, 47–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2012.631413
18. Jokela, W. E. & Randall, G.W. (1989). Corn yield and residual soil nitrate as affected by time and rate of nitrogen application. Agronomy Journal, 5,720-726. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1989.00021962008100050004x
19. Kacar, B. & Inal, A. (2008). Plant Analysis. Volume 1. Nobel Printing. Ankara Karaman, M.R., Brohi, A.R., Muftuoglu, N.M., Oztas, T. & Zengin, M. (2007). Sustainable soil fertility. No. 1, 391. Detay Press, Ankara
20. Keskin, B, H., Akdeniz, H., Yilmaz, I.H. & Turan, N. (2005). Yield and quality of forage corn (Zea mays L.) as Influenced by cultivar and nitrogen rate. J. Agron., 4(2),138-141.
21. Koca, G. (2013). Potential use of preplant soil mineral nitrogen content in first crop corn fertilization programe in Cukurova Region Msc Thesis, C.U. Institute of Science, Adana.
22. Lakshmi, Y.S., Sreelatha, D. & Pradeep, T. (2020). Influence of plant densities and nitrogen levels on the performance of popcorn hybrid. Current Journal of App. Sci. and Tech., 39(42):11-1. https://doi.org/ 10.9734/CJAST/2020/v39i4231125.
23. Mayer, L. I., Rossini, M. A. & Maddonni, G.A. (2012). Inter-plant variation of grain yield components and kernel composition of maize crops grown under contrasting nitrogen supply. Field Crops Research 125,98–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2011.09.004.9.
24. Mehmood, M.T., Maqsood, M., Awan, T.H., Sarwar R. & Hussain, H.I. (2001). Effect of different level of nitrogen and intra row plant spacing on yield components of maize. Pakistan Journal Agricultural Science, 38,1-2.
25. Morales-Morales, E. J., Rubí-Arriaga, M., López-Sandoval, J. A., Martínez-Campos, Á. R., & Morales-Rosales, E. J. (2019). Urea (NBPT) an alternative in the nitrogen fertilization of annual crops. Revista mexicana de ciencias agrícolas. 10(8),1875- 1886. https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v10i8.1732.
26. Oktem, A., & Ulger, A. C. (1998). Determination of phosphorus utilization of 10 corn (Zea ays L.) genotypes in Harran Plain conditions. Harran University Faculty of Agriculture Journal, 2(4), 71-80. Öktem et al., 2025 Turkish Journal of Field Crops, 30(1), 1-10
27. Oktem, A., Ulger, A.C. & Kirtok, Y. (2001). Effect of different nitrogen doses and row spacing on grain yield and some agronomic traits in popcorn (Zea mays L. everta Sturt.). Cukurova Univ. Journal of the Fac. of Agr., 16,83-92.
28. Oktem, A. G. & Oktem, A. (2005). Effect of nitrogen and intra row spaces on sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt) ear characteristics. Asian Jour.of Plant Sci. 4, 361- 364.
29. Oktem, A. & Oktem, A.G. (2006). Determination of yield characteristics of some sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt) genotypes under Harran plain conditions. Journal of Agricultural Faculty of Bursa Uludag University. 20,33-46.
30. Oktem, A., Oktem, A. G. & Emeklier, H.Y. (2010). Effect of nitrogen on yield and some quality parameters of sweet corn. Comm. in Soil Science and Plant Anal., 41(7), 832-847. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103621003592358
31. Oktem, A. G. & Oktem, A. (2020). Effect of farmyard manure application on yield and some quality characteristics of popcorn (Zea mays L. Everta Sturt) at the organic farming. Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International, 21,35-42. doi:10.9734/jaeri/2020/v21i930168.
32. Oktem, A. & Kahramanoglu, Y. (2021). Determination of grain yield and some quality parameters of popcorn (Zea mays L. everta) genotypes. Eurasian Jou. of Agri. Research, 5(1), 26-36.
33. Ozbek, E. & Akgun, I. (2020). The effect of nitrogen fertilizer applications on some nutrient contents of durum wheat and triticale in different development stage. Turkish Journal of Science and Engineering, 2, 38-47.
34. Ozturk, A., Erdal, S., Pamukcu, M., Boyaci, H. & Sade, B. (2016). Determination of some quality traits and relationships among traits in popcorn inbred lines. Derim, 33,119-130. https://doi.org/ 10.16882/derim.2016.10188
35. Patricio Soto, O., Ernesto Jahn, B. & Arredondo, S. S. (2002). planting density and nitrogen fertilization of hybrid corn for silage in the irrigated central valley. Agricultura Tecnica, 62,255-265.
36. Sabir, M.R., Ahmad, I. & Shazad, M.A. (2000). Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on yield and quality of two hybrids of maize. Journal of Agricultural Research, 38,339.
37. Safdarian, M., Razmjoo, J. & Dehnavi, M. M. (2014). Effect of nitrogen sources and rates on yield and quality ofsilage corn. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 37,611–617. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2013.867986.
38. Saleh, G.B., Alawi, S.A.S. & Panjaitan, K. (2002). Performance, correlation and heritability studies on selected sweet corn synthetic populations. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 5, 251-254.
39. Saracoglu, M. & A. Oktem. (2021). The effect of nitrogen application in different doses by fertigation method on grain yield, yield components and quality of corn (Zea mays L.). AppliedEcology& Env.Research, 19,5017-5031. doi:10.15666/aeer/1906_50175031
40. Soylu, S. & Tekkanat, A. (2007). Interactions amongst kernel properties and expansion volume in various popcorn genotypes. Journal of Food Engineering, 80,336-341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2006.06.001
41. Subedi, K. D., & Ma, B. L. (2009). Corn crop production: growth, fertilization and yield. Agriculture issues and policies. Editor: Arn T. Danforth, Nova Sci. Publishers
42. Trenkel, T.M.E. (2021). Slow-and controlled-release and Stabilized Fertilizers: an option for enhancing nutrient use efficiency in agriculture. International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA). 2.ed. International Fertilizer Industry Association Turkish State Meteorological Service. (2023). Sanliurfa Statistical Year Book. General Directorate of State Meteorology Affairs, Sanliurfa.
43. Ucgun, K., Aslancan, H., Altindal, M., & Yildiz, H. (2021). Effect of some controlled release fertilizers and application methods on the growth of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) Yuzuncu Yil University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 30(4), 832- 839.
44. Wang C, Lv J, Xie J.M., Yu, J.H., Li, J., Zhang, J., Tang, C.N., Niu, T.H. & Patience, B.E. (2021). Effect of slow-release fertilizer on soil fertility and growth and quality of wintering Chinese chives (Allium tuberm Rottler ex Spreng.) in greenhouses. Sci Rep-Uk, 11,8070. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87593-1.
45. Yigit, A., Yarasir, N., & Erekul, O. (2024). Impact of nitrogen fertilization on bread wheat: screening for changes in quality, antioxidant and essential amino acid content. Turkish Journal of Field Crops, 29(2), 149-164. DOI: 10.17557/tjfc.1554201