Nitrogen uptake and yields of rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by time and method of crop stover application in the humid tropics.

摘要

Farmers in the humid tropics of Asia and other regions tend to destroy crop stover or leave the material on the surface for decomposition, although organic matter is a vital component in maintaining productivity of the farming systems. Hence a field study evaluated the impact of the time and method of application of two common crop stovers on the N nutrition and yields of a rainfed maize crop, grown in a minor season. The use of a stover from a grain provided greater contents of N to maize than maize stover. Application of the stover before planting and its incorporation into the soil proved to be the most beneficial in terms of greater N uptake by the crop, N availability in soils, and increased maize yields.