RESPONSE OF MAIZE TO VARIOUS NITROGEN SOURCES AND TILLAGE PRACTICES

Field trial was conducted to study the effect of tillage practices, mineral N and organic manures on yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.) at the New Developmental Farm of Agricultural University, Peshawar during summer 2010. The experiment was consisted of ten fertilizer treatments (control, nitrogen alone, FYM alone, poultry manure alone, 75% N (mineral) + 25% FYM, 50% N (mineral) + 50% FYM, 25 % N (mineral) + 75% FYM, 75% N + 25% PM, 50% N (mineral) + 50% PM and 25% N (mineral) + 75 % PM) and three tillage practices (reduce, conventional and deep tillage). Nitrogen (N) treatments were kept in the sub plots, whereas tillage practices (T) was allotted to the main plots. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications. The results revealed that tillage practices and N significantly affected all parameters under study. Interactions between N x T were remained non significant for all parameters. Application of mineral N with organic manure in combination resulted in increased yield and yield components. Application of half mineral N and half PM produced higher ear length, grain ear^-1, grain yield and biological yield of maize, while 50% FYM and 50 % N resulted in maximum rows ear^-1 and grain row^-1. Tillage influenced yield and yield components of maize and higher number of rows ear-1, grain row ear^-1, grains ear^-1, ear length, thousand grain weight, grain yield and biological yield was produced by conventional tillage. It was concluded that organic and inorganic N application and conventional tillage had beneficial effect on yield and yield components of maize.