Investigation on effect of wheat residue management using different tillage and nitrogen fertilizer on maize yield in the north of khuzestan

ABSTRACT: An experiment was conducted to study on effects of no tillage and nitrogen fertilizer levels on yield of maize (Zea mays L.) under north of khuzestan province climatic conditions in 2012. The experiment was carried out as split-plot based on randomized complete block design in three replications. Residue management using different tillage methods as main plot with four levels and nitrogen fertilizer levels four levels as subplots were applied. Results showed that the management of residues using different tillage methods had a high significant effect (p < 0.01) on plant number per m2 and ear length, and a significant effect (p < 0.05) on ear number per m2, thousand grain weight, grain yield, leaf area and biological yield. Furthermore, N-fertilizer levels had significant effect on ear number per m2, ear length, grains number per row, grain yield, leaf area, leaf area index, biological yield and harvest index. Interaction effects of residue management and nitrogen fertilizer had significant effect on ear number per m2, ear length, grain yield, leaf area and biological yield. According to the results of this study, no-tillage method with using 103.5 kg/ha of nitrogen is suggested to be used in the region.