TITLE:
Agronomy and Economy: Impact of Tillage and Poultry Manure on Mazie (Zea mays L.)
AUTHORS:
Hafiz Muhammad Rashad Javeed, Muhammad Shahid Ibni Zamir, Nasir Masood, Rafi Qamar, Muhammad Shehzad, Muhammad Nadeem
KEYWORDS:
Agronomy; Economy; Leaf Area Index; Maize; Seedling Growth; Tillage; Pakistan
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.6,
March
24,
2014
ABSTRACT: Seedling emergence and seedling establishment are two
important phases for the good crop stand and final maize crop harvest. A field
study was conducted to explore the effects of different tillage practices and
poultry manure levels on the seedling emergence, growth, development, yield,
and economics of the spring planted maize during 2010 and 2011. Experimental
treatments include four tillage treatments (zero, minimum, conventional and
deep tillage) and three poultry manure amendments (control (no manure), 5 Mg·ha-1 and 10 Mg·ha-1). Seedling emergence was linearly affected as the
tillage intensity was increased. Significant relationship of tillage with leaf
area index, leaf area duration, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate and
total dry matter was recorded during the both years. Poultry manure at the rate
of 10 Mg·ha-1 produced the higher leaf area index, leaf area
duration, crop growth rate, total dry matter and grain yield as compared to 5 Mg·ha-1 and control. Moreover, experimental results concluded that the deep tillage
practice has taken less time to start emergence. Similarly, higher values trend
of leaf area index, leaf area duration, crop growth rate, total dry matter
accumulation and grain yield was shifted from deep tillage to conventional, minimum
and zero tillage practices during both years. Economically, the minimum tillage
with poultry manure at rate of 10 Mg·ha-1 gave the better benefit to
cost ratio and crop productivity as compared to conventional, deep and zero
tillage. The experiment suggested the minimum tillage with poultry manure at
the rate of 10 Mg·ha-1 may ensure the maize grain yield
sustainability.