Abstract
Changes in the nutrient element concentration and the dry matter production at different stages of plant growth were studied. The nutrient element (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) concentration was not significantly affected by the type and rate of fertilizer applications. Nitrogen, P and K concentrations were higher in the top most branch and the second branch from top whereas those of Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn were highest in the lowest branch. Zinc was concentrated mainly in the upper branches and the grain but Cu appeared to be uniformly distributed within the plant. The difference in nutrient element concentrations were largest in the early stages of plant growth but narrowed appreciably by the flowering stage. Over half of the total dry matter and nutrient elements was accumulated between flowering and maturity. The mean dry matter and grain yields were 8618 and 5280 kg/ha respectively. The total yields of N, P, K, Ca and Mg were 198, 17, 53, 43 and 31 kg/ha, respectively, and those of Mn, Zn and Cu were 121, 283 and 112 g/ha, respectively.
