Effect of cultivator application, simultaneous cropping and nitrogen levels on forage yield of corn (Zea Mays L.) in Esfahan region

Subject Areas :

Farzad  Ameri ¹ (Agronomy, Naragh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Naragh, Iran.)
Mohammad  Mirzakhani ² (Department of Agriculture, Farahan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Farahan, Iran)

Received: 2015-06-02 Accepted : 2015-12-05 Published : 2016-02-20

Keywords: nitrogen, Forage yield, Cowpea, Productivity index,

Abstract :

In order to study of cultivator application, simultaneous cropping and nitrogen levels on forage yield of corn in Esfahan region. A factorial randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Urea manure levels [N0= without urea (Control), N1= 150 Kg ha-1 of urea, N2= 300 Kg ha-1 of urea) and simultaneous cropping treatment, (S1= cultivation of corn, S2= cultivation of corn + cultivator application, S3= cultivation of corn + cultivator application + soybean, S4= cultivation of corn + cultivator application + cowpea, S5= cultivation of corn + cultivator application + alfalfa) were assigned in plots. Each sub plot consisted of 4 rows, 6 m long with 60 cm between rows space and 20 cm between plants on the rows and S.C 704 hybrid was used. In this study, traits such as stem height, panicule length, forage yield, weight of stem and leaf, weight of ear, plant productivity index, number of grain per ear and number of ear per meter-2 were evaluated. The result have shown that the interaction effect of urea levels and simultaneous cropping + cultivator application treatment was significant on stem height, panicle length, forage yield, weight of stem and leaf, weight of ear, plant productivity index and number of grain per ear. The maximum and minimum of forage yield (73.83 and 46.90 ton ha-1) were obtained with the cultivation of corn + cowpea + 150 Kg ha-1 of urea and cultivation of corn + cowpea + cultivator application + 0 Kg ha-1 of urea manure, respectively. So, it seems that the use of simultaneous cropping along legumes and with reduced amounts of chemical fertilizers can be created through the diversity of cultures and the supply of nitrogen, one way to achieve sustainable of farming systems.