Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Forage Production and Nutritive Nalue of Geukdong 6, Teosinte Hybrid 〔Zea mays L. subsp. mexicana (Schrad.) H. H. Iltis〕

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different nitrogen levels on the yield and nutrient quality of a newly developed domestic hybrid of Teosinte, Geukdong 6〔Zea mays L. subsp. mexicana (Schrad.) H. H. Iltis〕. The field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replicates and consisted of four nitrogen (N) application rates, T1 (200 kg/ha), T2 (300 kg/ha), T3 (400 kg/ha), and T4 (500 kg/ha). No differences were found in plant length, leaf length, leaf width, leaf number, dead leaves, stem hardness, tiller number, and fresh yield (p>0.05). The T3 showed significantly greater dry matter yield at harvest (heading stage) compared to the other treatments (p 0.05). The sugar content was higher in the T2 treatment than the other treatments (p 0.05). Na content was higher in order of T2 > T4 > T3 > T1 (p 0.05). Given these results, we recommend the amount of nitrogen fertilization necessary for “Geukdong 6” to be around 400 kg per ha (T3), when considering, high fresh yield, dry matter yield, number of leaves and content of crude protein.