Compost and Nitrogen Management Influence Productivity of Spring Maize (Zea mays L.) under Deep and Conventional Tillage Systems in Semi-arid Regions

摘要

On-farm research was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) and compost (C) on yield and yield components of spring maize (Zea mays L.) under conventional and deep tillage system (T) at the research farm of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan, during spring 2013. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement, using three replications. Three compost levels (0, 1, and 2tha(-1)) and two tillage systems (conventional and deep tillage) were allotted to the main plot, whereas N levels (60, 90, 120, and 150kgNha(-1)) were allotted to subplots in the form of urea. Nitrogen and compost levels had significantly affected all the parameters. Plots treated with 150kgNha(-1) increased ear length (31cm), grains ear(-1) (413), thousand-grain weight (240.2g), grain yield (3097kgha(-1)), straw yield (9294kgha(-1)), harvest index (24.7 percent), and shelling percentage (81.7 percent). Compost applied at 2tha(-1) increased ear length (32cm), grains ear(-1) (430), thousand-grain weight (242.3g), grain yield (2974kgha(-1)), straw yield (8984kgha(-1)), harvest index (24.6 percent), and shelling percentage (83.2 percent). Tillage system had significant effect on all parameters except ear length and harvest index. Deep tillage system produced more grains ear(-1) (365), thousand-grain weight (233.3g), grain yield (2630kgha(-1)), straw yield (8549kgha(-1)), and shelling percentage (79.6 percent). It was concluded from the results that application of 120kgNha(-1)+2Ctha(-1) under a deep tillage system could improve spring maize yield and yield-contributing traits under semi-arid conditions.