TITLE:
Evaluating the Impact of Different Tillage Regimes and Nitrogen Levels on Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea mays L.)
AUTHORS:
Muhammad Naeem Shahid, M. Shahid Ibni Zamir, Ihtisham-Ul Haq, M. Kamran Khan, Mazhar Hussain, Usman Afzal, M. Asim, Ihtisham Ali
KEYWORDS:
Tillage Regimes, Nitrogen Levels, Deep Tillage, Biological Yield, Harvest Index
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.7 No.6,
April
20,
2016
ABSTRACT: A
field study to evaluate the impact of different tillage regimes and nitrogen
levels on yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.), was conducted during autumn 2014 at Students Farm,
Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The experiment
was laid out in RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design), with split plot
arrangement having three replications. The experiment was comprised of three
tillage regimes (Minimum, Conventional and Deep) and three nitrogen levels viz:
100, 200 and 300 kg•ha-1. Urea was used as a source of nitrogen,
sulphate of potash as a source of potassium and triple super phosphate as a
source of phosphorous. The amount of phosphorous and potash was constant in all
the treatments i.e. 125 kg•ha-1 and 100 kg•ha-1 respectively. Results of present study are
summarized as yield parameters are significantly affected by different nitrogen
levels and tillage regimes. Maximum number of plants at harvest (7.93), number
of grain rows per cob (17.70), number of grains per row (34.31), number of
grains per cob (678.58), and cob weight (187.50 g) were observed in deep
tillage at 200 kg•ha-1 nitrogen application. 1000-grain weight
(275.52 g), biological yield (15.66 t•ha-1), grain yield (6.16 t•ha-1)
and dried stalk yield (9.91 t•ha-1) were observed maximum in deep
tillage at 200 kg•ha-1 nitrogen application. Harvest index
significantly affected by tillage regimes and maximum harvest index (39.58%)
were recorded in deep tillage which was statistically at par with conventional
tillage (38.83%). It was concluded that higher grain yield of maize can be
obtained by deep tillage with the application of 200 kg•ha-1 nitrogen application under the prevailing conditions of Faisalabad.