Agronomy and Economy: Impact of Tillage and Poultry Manure on Mazie (Zea mays L.)

Seedling emergence and seedling establishment are two important phases for the good crop stand and final maize crop harvest. A field study was conducted to explore the effects of different tillage practices and poultry manure levels on the seedling emergence, growth, development, yield, and economics of the spring planted maize during 2010 and 2011. Experimental treatments include four tillage treatments (zero, minimum, conventional and deep tillage) and three poultry manure amendments (control (no manure), 5 Mg·ha-1 and 10 Mg·ha-1). Seedling emergence was linearly affected as the tillage intensity was increased. Significant relationship of tillage with leaf area index, leaf area duration, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate and total dry matter was recorded during the both years. Poultry manure at the rate of 10 Mg·ha-1 produced the higher leaf area index, leaf area duration, crop growth rate, total dry matter and grain yield as compared to 5 Mg·ha-1 and control. Moreover, experimental results concluded that the deep tillage practice has taken less time to start emergence. Similarly, higher values trend of leaf area index, leaf area duration, crop growth rate, total dry matter accumulation and grain yield was shifted from deep tillage to conventional, minimum and zero tillage practices during both years. Economically, the minimum tillage with poultry manure at rate of 10 Mg·ha-1 gave the better benefit to cost ratio and crop productivity as compared to conventional, deep and zero tillage. The experiment suggested the minimum tillage with poultry manure at the rate of 10 Mg·ha-1 may ensure the maize grain yield sustainability.