AN ATTEMPT TO INCREASE THE QUANTITY OF OIL IN MAIZE GROWN UNDER SALINE SOILS BY USING DIFFERENT FERTILIZATION TREATMENTS

ABSTRACT
The main objective of this study was to use different fertilization methods and rates to increase the quantity of oil in maize per unit area to contribute to filling part of the gap in edible oils. Two field experiments were conducted, at El-Serw Agriculture Research Station, Agriculture Research Centre, Damietta Governorate, to demonstrate the effect of two methods of phosphorous fertilization (foliar and soil applied) & five nitrogen fertilization rates (0, 95, 190, 286 and 381 kg N ha^-1) & their interaction on grain, stover yields  and some chemical composition of maize in 2020 & 2021 seasons. The obtained results indicated that use of phosphorous foliar fertilization increased grain and stover yields by 41.2 and 38.07%, respectively. As well as, grain protein and oil yields were increased by 54.89 and 80.6% respectively. It also showed that applying 381 kg N ha^-1 increased grain & stover yields by 251.28 and 197.34%, respectively. As well as protein and oil yields were increased by 621.15 and 322.07%, respectively, as compared to control without apply phosphate or nitrogen fertilizer. These treatments gave good results in increasing the quantity of oil per unit area, which was the main purpose of the research. While maximizing the use of saline soil for this purpose. The foliar phosphorous treatment also led to an increase in the efficiency of nitrogen utilization with all nitrogen fertilization rates. Thus, utilizing huge regions with a high salinity of soil and irrigation water in the cultivation of an economic crop such as maize to produce grains and oil contribute to filling part of the gap in edible oils, as well as stover to manufacture silage for animal feeding.