Abstract

Field experiments were conducted for three years (2006 – 2008) in Samaru (11^o11’N, 7^o38’E) 686m above sea level in Nigeria. The objective was to test the response of two Quality Protein Maize (QPM) varieties (SAMMAZ-14 and SAMMAZ-11) to four levels each of Zinc and Magnesium (0, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 kg) using their carbonates. The experiments were arranged in all possible factorial combinations and laid out as randomised complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The two varieties tested did not differ significantly in all the parameters evaluated except for the number of days to 50% tasselling. Grain yield ranged between 1.9 – 2.0 t/ha when averaged over both years which was quite below the 5.0 t/ha potential. Zinc application had no significant influence on most characters evaluated except total dry matter per hectare in 2006 when the application of 1.25 kg 2n/ha produced the highest TDM. Grain yield per hectare remained unchanged with changes in Zinc rate. Magnesium application influenced grain yield on 2008 only when 1.25 kg Mg/ha increased yield compared with plots with 5.0kg mg/ha. When averaged over the three years, Mg application did not significantly influence grain yield, but increased protein yield. Grain yield correlated positively and significantly with leaf area index (r = 0.13**), plant height (r = 0.26*), TDM (r = 0.21**) and protein yield (r = 0.97**). Protein content of grain remained unchanged with changes in Zinc and Magnesium rates at 8%

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