Impact of Soil Amendments on Yield and Yield Attributes of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Different Irrigation Schedule

Abstract

Field trials were conducted during summer 2011-2012 at New Developmental Farm of The University Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan to study the effects of soil amendments on yield and yield attributes of maize (Zea mays L.) under different irrigation schedule. The field experiments were layout in randomized complete block design having three replications. Two separated filed experiments were maintained. Treatments were randomized in each field. One filed was specified for 6 irrigation while other had 3 irrigation. The treatments consisted of soil amendments (FYM (10 t ha^-1), crop residue (wheat straw 10 t ha^-1), gypsum (1000 kg ha^-1), qemisoyl (10 kg ha^-1) and humic acid (12 kg ha^-1)) were used. Irrigation had significant effect on all parameters except ears plant^-1, shelling (%) and harvest index. Plots supplied with six irrigations produced maximum grains ear^-1 (496), grains weight (283.3 g) and grain yield (3813 kg ha^-1) as compared with three irrigations. Soil amendments had significantly affected yield and yield components of maize. Plots treated with 10 tons FYM ha^-1 produced maximum ears plant^-1 (1.5), grains ear^-1 (504), shelling (73 %), grains weight (287.4 g), grain yield (3896 kg ha^-1) and harvest index (28.4 %) as compared with other soil amendments but grains ear^-1, 1000 grains weight and grain yield were statistically at par with other soil amendments such as humic acid. It was concluded from the experiment that plots treated with FYM at the rate of 10 t ha^-1 having six irrigations improved maize productivity and thus, is recommended for general practice in agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar valley.

Keywords: Maize, soil amendments, humic acid, irrigation schedule, qemisoyl, crop residue, gypsum, yield components