Response of Sweet Maize to Different Cultivation Systems and Nitrogen Mineralization in the Soil

摘要

Cultivation systems and mulch have an important influence on growth and yield of vegetables and field crops. In many cases the use of mechanical weeding equipment was investigated. The rotary hoe is an effective tool in controlling weeds in an integrated weed management approach or for organic sweet maize production (Leblanc et ai, 2006). On the other hand according to Kwabiah (2004) plastic mulches are used at planting as a simple, cost effective, soil warming and season extending technique that ultimately improves stand establishment and hastens maturity. The plastic mulch acts like a glass house by capturing and retaining daytime solar radiation and reducing heat loss at night, producing a mini-greenhouse effect. Neeteson et al. (2001) expose thefacts on large amounts of nitrogen remains in the soil after harvesting the crops. Application of the recommended rates of fertilizers to other field vegetables, however, may leave large amounts of residual soil mineral nitrogen (Nmin), especially aftercrops that are harvested before maturing as it is the case of sweet maize. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of mulch and cultivation systems with different hoeing intensity during the growing period on growth, yield and nitrogen mineralization in the soil.