Effect of tillage procedures and nitrogen fertilizer on the forage production and some agronomic characters of silage maize (Zea mays L.) cv. KSC704

Subject Areas :

Mohammad  Nasiri ¹ (M.Sc. in Agriculture Mechanization, Department of Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences, Science and ResearchBranch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.)
Mehdi  Mianaji ² (M.Sc. in Biotechnology, Agriculture Faculty, Miyaneh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Miyaneh, Iran.)
Seyyed Alimohammad  Borgheei ³ (Professor in Mechanization, Department of Agricultural and Natural Resources Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.)

Received: 2010-12-09 Accepted : 2011-12-12 Published : 2012-01-21

Keywords: biomass, Nitrogen Fertilizer, tillage procedures, silage corn,

Abstract :

 Effects of different tillage systems and nitrogen fertilizer levels on forage production and some agronomic traits of silage maize (Zea mays L.) cv. KSC704 were studied. A split plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted. Three procedures of tillage (moldboard plow with disc, sweep with disc and double discs) and three nitrogen levels (100, 200 and 300 kg.ha-1) were applied. Plant height, leaf number, fresh weight, ear length and diameter, dry weight and forage production were measured. The effect of nitrogen levels on height, fresh weight, dry weight and silage production were significant. The maximum forage yield (51575.3 kg.ha-1) was obtained by 300 kg.ha-1 nitrogen application. The effect of tillage procedures on fresh weight, dry weight and forage production of silage were also significant. The maximum forage yield (49911.9 kg.ha-1) was obtained for the sweep along with disc treatment. The effect of nitrogen levels and tillage systems on fresh weight and forage yield of silage maize were also significant. The maximum forage production (53582.3 kg.ha-1) was obtained by double discs with an application of 300 kg.ha-1 nitrogen.  

References:

Akbari Gh, Mazaheri D, Mokhtassi Bidgoli M (2005) Effects of plant densities, different levels of nitrogen and    potassium on grain yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.). Journal of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources 12(5): 46-54. [In Persian with English Abstract].

Al-Rudha MS, AL-Younis AH (1978) The effect of row, spacing and nitrogen levels on yield, yield component and quality of maize (Zea mays L.) Iraq Journal of Agricultural Science 13: 235-252.

Chaji H, Afshar Chamanabad H, Jamili H (2006) investigation on physical properties of soil, fuel consumption, productivity and cotton yield in several tillage systems. Journal of Agriculture Engineering Research 7(26): 159-174. [In Persian with English Abstract].

Cox, W, Kalange S, Reid WS (1993) Growth, yield and quality of forage maize under different nitrogen management practices. Agronomy Journal 85: 344-347.

Eskandary I (2002) Comparison of different tillage methods on wheat yield after harvesting chickpea in dryland areas.  Journal of Agriculture Engineering Research 3(11): 57-72

Fallah SA, Galavand A, Khajepoor MR (2007) The effects of manure mixing methods with soil and its integration with chemical fertilizer on yield and yield components of grain maize (Zea mays L.) in Khoramabad, Lorestan. Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences and Techniques 40: 233-242.

Farshadfar A (1994) Principle of agronomic plants production. Islamic Azad University Scientific Publicatins Center. 285 pp. [In Persian with English Abstract].

Gajri PR, Arora VK, Prihar SS (2002) Tillage for sustainable cropping. The Haworth Press: New York.195 pp.

Hassan Amin ME (2010) Effects of different nitrogen sources on growth, yield and quality of fodder maize (Zea mays L.). Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Science 10: 17-23

Hosseini S M (1992) Effects of urea fertilizer values, irrigation times and plant densities on quantitative and growth curve in maize. M.Sc. thesis, Tarbiat modares University, Tehran. 112 pp. [In Persian with English Abstract]

Kafi Ghasemi A, Esfahani M (2005) Effects of nitrogen fertilizer levels on yield and yield components of dent corn (Zea mays L.) in Gilian. Journal of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources 12(25): 55-62 [In Persian with English Abstract].

Marashi SK, Zakenejad S, Lak Sh, Siadat SA (2007) Effect of different planting patterns and plant densities on yield and yield components of flint corn (Zea mays L. hybrid KSC704) in Ahwaz climate condition. Journal of Scientific Agriculture 30(3): 63-70.

Noormohammadi GH, Siadat A, Kashani J (2001) Agronomy of cereals. Shahid Chamran University Press: Ahwaz. 468 pp. [In Persian with English Abstract].

Reed AJ, Singletary, GW, Schussler JR, Williamson DR, Christy AL (1988) Shading effects on dry matter and nitrogen partitioning, kernel number and yield of maize. Crop Science 28: 819-825.

Tajdari H (2002) Effects of nitrogen fertilizer levels and its amortization patterns on yield and other characters of two maize cultivars in Golpaiegan region. M.Sc. Thesis, Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan Branch, Khorasgan, Iran. 121 pp. [In Persian with English Abstract].