Evaluating the Impact of Different Tillage Regimes and Nitrogen Levels on Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea mays L.)

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.

Quantitative Behaviour of Guar (Cymopsis tetragnolobus L.) to Various Tillage Systems and Mulches and Soil Physical Properties

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of organic mulches and tillage practices on growth, yield of cluster bean and soil physical properties. Experiment was comprised of two factors: A (Tillage), B (Mulches). Factor A was assigned to main plot and consisted of two treatments (Minimum tillage and Conventional tillage). Factor B was assigned to sub plot and consisted of four treatments (no mulch, wheat straw mulch, grass clipping mulch and saw dust mulch). The mulching materials were partially incorporated in the field after germination of crop. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement having three replications. Control treatment was kept for comparison. All other agronomic practices were kept standardized and consistent for all the treatments. Data regarding growth and yield components were collected and analyzed statistically by fisher analysis of variance and treatment significance was measured by significant difference test at 5% probability level. The factors, tillage and mulches significantly affected growth, yield, yield parameters and soil physical properties. Maximum plant population (31.7 m2), plant height (159 cm), branches per plant (18.9), cluster per plant (15.88), grains per pod (7.3), 1000-grain weight (34.6 g), grain yield (1.9 t•ha-1), biological yield (9.91 t•ha-1) and harvest index (19.15) was recorded in conventional tillage comparative to minimum tillage. Mulches also affected grain yield, and maximum grain yield was recorded in wheat straw mulch (1.88 t•ha-1) followed by grass clipping mulch (1.81 t•ha-1) and saw dust mulch (1.76 t•ha-1) while minimum grain yield was recorded in control without mulch application (1.67 t•ha-1). Tillage and mulches interactively affect pH, soil organic matter contents, electrical conductivity and soil bulk density. Mulches and minimum tillage improved soil physical properties. Highest BCR was obtained from conventional tillage without mulch and lowest calculated from minimum tillage with saw dust application. The conclusion is that the mulching and conventional tillage improves cluster bean yield about 1%.

Yield and Quality of Forage Oat (<i>Avena sativa</i>L.) Cultivars as Affected by Seed Inoculation with Nitrogenous Strains

Nitrogen availability can be enhanced with the application of nitrogen fixing bacteria and it may be helpful in increasing forage yield and improving quality of oat. Therefore, a field trial to evaluate the effect of seed inoculation with nitrogen fixing bacteria on forage yield and quality of oat was carried out at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during Rabi season 2013-14. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with factorial arrangements using three replications. The experiment was comprised of two integrated approaches. The first approach was oat cultivars consisting of four treatments, V1 (AVON), V2 (S-2000), V3 (S-2011) and V4 (PD2LV65) and the second approach was seed inoculation consisting of three treatments, S0 (control), S1 (Azotobacter spp.), S2 (Azospirillum spp.). Fisher’s analysis of variance technique was used for statistically interpretation of data by using least significant difference (LSD) test at 5% level of probability. Nitrogen fixing bacteria significantly affect the germination count (m2), plant height (cm), number of tillers (m2), number of leaves per tiller, leaf area per tiller (cm2), green forage yield (t·ha-1) and dry matter yield (t ha-1). The maximum green forage yield (85.2 t·ha-1), dry matter yield (14.1 t ·ha-1) and crude protein (11.5%) were recorded where Azotobacter inoculation was applied. The interaction between cultivars and nitrogenous strains was significant for green forage yield (t·ha-1), dry matter yield (t·ha-1) and crude protein (%). Conclusion showed that cultivar Sargodha-2011 which was inoculated with Azotobacter spp. gave higher forage yield of good quality.