Open Access

ARTICLE

Agronomic efficiency of phosphorus, biomass and yield of two native varieties of maize and one hybrid in central Mexico

by Díaz-López E, JM Loeza-Corte, I Brena-Hernández, JM Campos Pastelín, IJ Orlando-Guerrero, G Salgado-Benítez

1 Universidad Tecnológica de Tehuacán, Prolongación de la 1 sur No. 1101, San Pablo Tepetzingo, Tehuacán Puebla C.P. 75859.
2 Universidad de la Cañada, Carretera Teotitlán-San Antonio Nanahuatipam s/n paraje Titlacuautila, Teotitlán de Flores Magón, Oaxaca.
3 Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México. Instituto literario No. 100. Colonia Centro, Toluca, México.

* Corresponding Author:Address Correspondence to: Ernesto Díaz-López, e-mail:

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2014, 83(all), 171-178. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2014.83.171

Abstract

The Toluca´s México valley is considered a high valley because it is situated at 2560 m.a.s.l. In this region, maize is the most important crop; free pollination [Yellow, red, blue and flour maize (Cacahuacintle)] and hybrid materials are grown. Corn yield is negatively affected by an inadequate P fertilization. The aim of this study was to determine the agronomic effectiveness of phosphorus in terms of biomass and yield on three cultivars of maize as a function of six levels of phosphorus fertilization in the Toluca´s valley, Mexico. The materials Amarillo Almoloya, Cacahuacintle and Cóndor were sown under a completely randomized block design with a factorial arrangement. One of the factors were the cultivars (three), and the other factor were the six levels of phosphorus: 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200 kg/ha of P₂O₅. Yield, biomass and agronomic efficiency of phosphorus were evaluated. The results indicated that the application of phosphorus affected yield, biomass and agronomic efficiency of phosphorus in a positive way. The free pollination Cacahuacintle was the cultivar that presented a better response to P in the study area.

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Keywords

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