Combined effect of tillage and nutrient management practices on kharif maize (Zea mays L.) yield and chlorophyll content

Abstract

Our accustomed agricultural practices of tilling the soil continuously and excessive fertilizer applications caused not only decreased in organic carbon content and soil degradation but also disturbed environmental harmony. With this backdrop, current study was conducted at research farm, Dholi to determine the interactive effect of tillage and nutrient management practice under maize crop during kharif 2018 and 2019. The split-plot design was laid out with tillage as the main plot and nutrient management practice as sub-plot with 3 replications. The results showed significantly superior maize cob yield in PB (84.02 q ha -1 & 88.01 q ha -1 ) and 60% RDN+GSGN (81.96 & 85.17 q ha -1 ) over CT (64.48 & 72.71 q ha -1 ) and RDF (71.94 & 77.25 q ha -1 ) during 2018 and 2019. Similarly, higher chlorophyll content and nutrient content was also noticed with an interaction effect of PB and 60% RDN+GSGN. Based on the results, adoption of PB and 60% RDN+GSGN will help in the realization of better yield with maximum profit by way of reducing the input capital apart from improving soil health thereby sustaining natural resources for future generations.