Nutrient content of maize and soil organic matter status under various tillage methods and farmyard manure levels |
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| Authors: | Muhammad Iqbal Anwar-Ul-Hassan Rattan Lal |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Soil &2. Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture , Faisalabad, Pakistan ekbalr@yahoo.com;4. Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture , Faisalabad, Pakistan;5. School of Natural Resources , The Ohio State University , Ohio, Colombus, USA |
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| Abstract: | Abstract A two-year field study was conducted under semi-arid conditions in Pakistan to assess the role of tillage systems and farmyard manure on soil, plant nutrients and organic matter content. Four tillage systems (zero, minimum, conventional and deep tillage) and three farm manure levels were used. Maize crop was grown up to maturity. Uptake of N, P and K in maize shoots improved in tillage systems compared to non-tillage and treatments where farmyard manure was applied. Soil N status decreased in the deep tillage systems, whereas it increased in all other tillage systems and in the farmyard manure amended treatments. Increase in soil P values was observed under minimum and conventional tillage, whereas deep tillage resulted in a decrease. Farmyard manure amendments increased soil P and soil K in all systems. Tillage did not affect soil K levels. Results demonstrate that reduced tillage is practicable in arid and semi-arid regions since it improves soil fertility. |
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| Keywords: | Conventional tillage deep tillage potassium minimum tillage nitrogen phosphorus zero tillage |
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