Abstract:
see the effect of organic
mulches and tillage practices on growth,
yield and quality of autumn planted maize
and soil physical properties. Four types of
tillage practices i.e. conventional tillage,
zero tillage, bar harrow tillage, subsoiler
tillage and two types of mulching material
i.e. wheat straw mulch and saw dust mulch
was used. The mulching material was
partially incorporated in the field after
germination of crop. The experiment was
carried out in randomized complete block
design (RCBD) with three replications.
Control treatment was kept for comparison.
All other practices were kept uniform
throughout the crop period. Data about
growth and yield components were
collected and analyzed statistically by fisher
analysis of variance and treatment
significance was measured by significant
difference test at 5v% level. The results
showed that zero tillage + wheat straw
mulch gave maximum 1000-grain weight
(341.67 g) and grain yield (6.33 t ha-1) and it
was followed by conventional tillage + saw
dust mulch (4.92 t ha-1). Higher protein
content was recorded in Subsoiler tillage
(10.26 %). Conducive soil physical
conditions were observed in the zero tillage
practices over the other tillage practices. On
the basis of these results it could be
proposed that the tillage and mulching is a
very important practice to increase the yield
of crop. Among different practices, zero
tillage with wheat straw mulching gave
maximum yield and net benefits.
