Paper Title
Effect Of Nitrogen Stress On The Growth Of Hybrid-Maize In The Northern Guinea Savanna Of Nigeria

Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during 2014 and 2015 rainy season at Tudun Wada, Kano and Samaru, Zaria in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria in order to study the Effect of nitrogen stress on the growth of hybrid-maize. The experiment consisted of two nitrogen levels 0 and 120 N kg ha -1 as main plot and 8 drought�tolerant maize hybrids and 2 controls as sub-plot laid out in arandomized split plot design and replicated three times. Physiological responses and phenology of hybrids were significantly affected by nitrogen stress at both locations. Interaction between hybrids and nitrogen stress was significantly affected at both locations. Based on these results, application of nitrogen significantly increased the physiological activities and decrease the phenology of hybrid-maize. However newer hybrids were more tolerant to nitrogen stress and out-yielded the older hybrids. Therefore the recently released hybrids were more adapted to abiotic stresses. Keywords: nitrogen stress, hybrid-maize, physiology and phenology.