Effects of Nitrogen and Irrigation Water on the Silage Corn Production under Minimum Tillage and Conventional Tillage Systems

Authors

1 Assoc. Prof. of Soil and Water Res. Dept. Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Shiraz.

2 Assist. Prof. of Soil and Water Res. Dept. Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Shiraz.

3 Coach of Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, AREEO, Shiraz.

Abstract

In this research, using a split-block design and implementing two single-line source sprinkler systems, effects of 0, 90, 180 and 270 kg N/ha as urea source and 9600, 8550, 7500 and 6400 m3/ha of irrigation water on silage corn (Zea Mays L.), S.C. 704 variety in two conventional and minimum-tillage systems were studied. The results showed that there was not a significant difference between water use efficiency, phosphorous uptake and foliages yield of two tillage systems. The main effects of water and nitrogen on the stems height and diameter, fresh foliage yield, nitrogen, phosphorus and zinc uptake and the amounts of soil organic carbon were significant at 1% level and on the dry foliage yield and water use efficiency were significant at 0.05% level. At all levels of nitrogen, agronomic and physiological efficiencies in conventional tillage were higher than those in minimum-tillage system. The optimum amount of foliage yield in conventional tillage system was obtained from combined application of 8550 m3/ha water and 90 kg N/ha and in minimum tillage was obtained from combined application of 7500 m3/ha irrigation water and 270 kg N/ha. In terms of water use efficiency, in conventional tillage, combined application of 180 kg N/ha and 7500 m3/ha of water and in minimum tillage combined application of 180 kg N/ha and 6400 m3/ha of irrigation water were superior treatments. Based on obtained results, minimum-tillage system can be used instead of the conventional system in the similar corn fields but more nitrogen and less water is required.

Keywords


Afzali Gorouh H, Asoodar MA and Khodarahmpoor Z, 2012. Effect of irrigation method and tillage level on water use efficiency and corn grain yield (Zea Mays L.) in Kerman. Water and Soil Science. 22(3): 47-58. (In Farsi).
AliEhyaee M and Behbahani Zadeh AA, 1993. Description of Soil Chemical Analysis Methods. Technical publication No. 1024, Vol. 2. Soil and Water Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. (In Farsi).
Azizian A and Sepaskhah AR, 2014. Maize response to different water, salinity and nitrogen levels: agronomic behavior. International Journal of Plant Production 8 (1):107-130.
Barbieri PA, Echeverría EH, Rozas HRS and Andrade FH, 2008. Nitrogen use efficiency in maize as affected by nitrogen availability and row spacing. Agronomy Journal 100:1094–1100.
Emami A. 1996. Methods of Plant Analysis. Technical Publication No. 182. Soil and Water Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. (In Fasi).
Feng Y, Ning T, Li Z, Han B, Han Li Y, Sun T and Zhang X, 2014.  Effects of tillage practices and rate of nitrogen fertilization on crop yield and soil carbon and nitrogen. Plant Soil Environment 60(3): 100–104.
Gheysari M, Mirlatifi SM, Bannayan M, Homaee M and Hoogenboom G, 2009. Interaction of water and nitrogen on maize grown for silage. Agricultural Water Management 96(5): 809-821.
Godfray HC, Beddington JR, Crute IR, Haddad L, Lawrence D, Muir JF, Pretty J, Robinson S, Thomas SM and Toulmin C, 2010. Food security: The challenge of feeding 9 billion people. Science, 327: 812–818.
Halvorson A, Mosier AR, Reule CA and Bausch WC, 2006. Nitrogen and tillage effects on irrigated continuous corn yields. Agronomy Journal 98(3):63–71.
Hanks RJ, Keller J, Rasmussen VP and Wilson BD, 1976. Line source sprinkler for continious variable irrigation crop production studies. Soil Science Society of America Journal 40:426-429.
Hashemi M, Koochaki A and Banayan M, 1995. Maximizing Crop Yield. (Translated). 10th ed. Ferdowsi University Press. Iran, Mashhad. 288 pages. (In Farsi).
Hemat, A and Mosadeghi M, 1991. Tillage for Crop Production Areas of Low Rainfall (Translated). Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Press. Tehran, Iran. 161 Pages. (In Persian).
Hoorman H, Islam R, Sundermrier A and Reeder R, 2009. Using cover crop to convert to no-till. Ohio State University Extension. Available at: http://ohioline.osu.edu
Jin H, Qingjie W, Hongwen L, Lijin L and Huanwen G, 2009. Effect of alternative tillage and residue cover on yield and water use efficiency in annual double cropping system in North China Plain. Soil and Tillage Research 104:198-205
Judith N, Chantigny M, Dayegamiye A and Laverdiere M, 2009. Dairy cattle manure improves soil productivity in low residue rotation systems. Agronomy Journal 101:207-214.
Moroke TS, Schwartz RC, Brown KW and Juo ASR, 2005. Soil water depletion and root distribution of three dryland crops. Soil Science Society of America Journal 69: 197-205.
Morris NL, Miller PCH, Orson JH and Froud-Williams RJ, 2010. The adoption of non-inversion tillage systems in the United King­dom and the agronomic impact on soil, crops and the environment – A review. Soil and Tillage Research 108: 1–15.
Paolo ED and Rinaldi M, 2008. Yield response of corn to irrigation and nitrogen fertilization in a Mediterranean environment. Field Crops Research 105: 202-210.
Patil SL and Sheelavantar MN, 2006. Soil water conservation and yield of winter sorghum as influenced by tillage, organic materials and nitrogen fertilizer in semi-arid tropical India. Soil and Tillage Research 89: 246-257.
Rahimizadeh M, 2010. Nitrogen use efficiency of wheat as affected by preceding crop, application rate of nitrogen and crop residues. Australian Journal of Crop Science 3:89-93.
Ramezani Moghaddam J, Houshmand AR, Naseri AA, Meskarbashi M, Azizi Mobaser A. 2016. Effect of different levels of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on spring maize yield in the presence of groundwater. Water and Soil Science, Tabriz Univercity. 27(4): 229-251. (In Farsi).
Sepidehdam S and Ramroudi M, 2015. Effects of tillage systems and nitrogen fertilizers on yield, yield components and wheat protein content. Journal of Applied Research of Plant Echophysiology. 2(2): 33-46.
Shaver TM, Peterson GA, Ahuja LR, Westfall DG, Sherrod LA and Dunn G, 2002. Surface soil properties after twelve years of dryland notill management. Soil Science Society America Journal 66: 1292–1303.
Stevens WB, Hoeft RG and Mulvaney RL, 2005. Fate of N15 in a long-term nitrogen rate study: II. Nitrogen uptake efficiency. Agronomy Journal, 97: 1046 - 1053.
Zaree M, Kazemaini SAR and Bahrani MJ, 2015. Effect of tillage systems and water stress on wheat growth and yield. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research. 12(4): 793-804. (In Farsi).
Ziaeian AH and Malakouti MJ, 1991. The Necessity of Applying Optimum Fertilizer Management in Order to Increase Yield and Improve the Quality of Corn. Technical Publication No. 2002. Agricultural Education Press, Karaj, Iran. (In Farsi).