scholarly journals The Effect of Rainfall Characteristics and Tillage on Sheet Erosion and Maize Grain Yield in Semiarid Conditions and Granitic Sandy Soils of Zimbabwe

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelaide Munodawafa
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Sandy Soils ◽  
Rainfall Amount ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Rainfall Characteristics ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Maize Grain Yield ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
Sheet Erosion ◽  
Semiarid Conditions

In semiarid regions, rainfall is one of the primary factors affecting soil erosion and crop production under rain-fed agriculture. The study sought to quantify the effect of rainfall characteristics on sheet erosion and maize grain yield under different tillage systems. It was carried out under semiarid conditions and infertile sandy soils of Zimbabwe. Rainfall amount and intensity were recorded every 24 hours, while sheet erosion was measured from four tillage systems (Conventional Tillage (CT), Mulch Ripping (MR), Tied Ridging (TR) and Bare Fallow (BF)). Maize (Zea mays L.) was grown on three tillage systems (CT, MR, and TR). Rainfall amount varied significantly (P<0.001) between seasons (164–994 mm). CT recorded the highest average soil losses (15 t/ha), while MR and TR recorded 1.3 and 1.2 t/ha, respectively. Maize grain yields increased with increasing seasonal rainfall giving yield-responses of 0.9 t/ha (TR) to 1.3 t/ha (MR) for every 100 mm rainfall increment. Overall, treatments didnot differ significantly (P<0.497), except during drier seasons (P<0.025). Regression equations showed that yields can be confidently predicted using rainfall amount and time, withR2values of 0.82 to 0.94. Maize grain yields proved to be mostly dependent on rainfall amount than fertility. The productivity of the soils decreased with increased length of cultivation.

ENHANCING MAIZE PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY USING ORGANIC INPUTS AND MINERAL FERTILIZER IN CENTRAL KENYA SMALL-HOLD FARMS

2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
MONICAH MUCHERU-MUNA ◽  
DANIEL MUGENDI ◽  
PIETER PYPERS ◽  
JAYNE MUGWE ◽  
JAMES KUNG'U ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Calliandra Calothyrsus ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Maize Grain Yield ◽  
Good Site ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
Poor Site

SUMMARYDeclining land productivity is a major problem facing smallholder farmers today in Sub-Saharan Africa, and as a result increase in maize grain yield has historically staggered behind yield gains that have been achieved elsewhere in the world. This decline primarily results from reduction in soil fertility caused by continuous cultivation without adequate addition of external nutrient inputs. Improved soil fertility management practices, which combine organic and mineral fertilizer inputs, can enable efficient use of inputs applied, and can increase overall system's productivity. The trials were established at two sites with different soil fertility status to determine the effects of various organic sources (Tithonia diversifolia, Mucuna pruriens, Calliandra calothyrsus and cattle manure) and their combinations with mineral fertilizer on maize grain yield, economic return and soil chemical properties. Drought spells were common during the peak water requirement periods, and during all the seasons most (90%) of the rainfall was received before 50% flowering. In good and poor sites, there was a significant (p < 0.001) effect of season on maize grain yield. Tithonia diversifolia recorded the highest (4.2 t ha−1) average maize grain yield in the poor site, while Calliandra calothyrsus gave the highest (4.8 t ha−1) average maize grain yield in the good site. Maize grain yields were lower in treatments with sole fertilizer compared with treatments that included organic fertilizers. The maize grain yields were higher with sole organics compared with treatments integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers. Soil pH increment was statistically significant in the sole manure treatment in good and poor sites (t-test, p = 0.036 and 0.013), respectively. In the poor site, magnesium increased significantly in the sole manure and manure + 30 kg N ha−1 treatments with t-test p = 0.006 and 0.027, respectively. Soil potassium was significant in the sole manure treatment (t-test, p = 0.03). Generally the economic returns were low, with negative net benefits and benefit cost ratio of less than 1. Inorganic fertilizer recorded the highest net benefit and return to labour (p < 0.001 and <0.01, respectively) in the good site. The treatments that had very high maize grain yields did not lead to improved soil fertility, thus there is need for tradeoffs between yield gains and soil fertility management when selecting agricultural production technologies.

Analysis of the moisture content of maize kernels in over-ripe plants

2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-430
Author(s):  
T. Árendás ◽  
L. C. Marton ◽  
P. Bónis ◽  
Z. Berzsenyi
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Equilibrium Moisture Content ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Maize Grain Yield ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
Maize Kernels

The effect of varying weather conditions on the moisture content of the maize grain yield was investigated in Martonvásár, Hungary from late August to late September, and from the 3rd third of September to the 1st third of Novemberbetween 1999 and 2002. In every year a close positive correlation (P=0.1%) could be observed between the moisture content in late September and the rate of drying down in October. Linear regression was used each year to determine the equilibrium moisture content, to which the moisture content of kernels returned if they contained less than this quantity of water in late September and harvesting was delayed. In the experimental years this value ranged from 15.24-19.01%.

Superimposition Effect of Film-mulching and Furrow Ridging Culture on Maize Grain Yield and WUE in Loess Plateau

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 268
Author(s):  
Jun-Hong XIE ◽  
Ling-Ling LI ◽  
Ren-Zhi ZHANG ◽  
Qiang CHAI
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Maize Grain Yield ◽  
Film Mulching ◽  
Maize Grain

Effect of In-Season Nitrogen Management Strategy on Maize Grain Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency

2011 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
You-Liang YE ◽  
Yu-Fang HUANG ◽  
Chun-Sheng LIU ◽  
Ri-Tao QU ◽  
Hai-Yan SONG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Nitrogen Management ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Maize Grain Yield ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Maize Grain

Relation of Rubisco to Maize Grain Yield Improvement: Effect of Water Restriction

Crop Science ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 718-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Martínez‐Barajas ◽  
C. Villanueva‐Verduzco ◽  
J. Molina‐Galán ◽  
H. Loza‐Tavera ◽  
E. Sánchez‐de‐Jiménez
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Water Restriction ◽  
Yield Improvement ◽  
Maize Grain Yield ◽  
Effect Of Water ◽  
Improvement Effect ◽  
Maize Grain

scholarly journals Improvement of Maize Productivity and N Use Efficiency in a No-Tillage Irrigated Farming System: Effect of Cropping Sequence and Fertilization Management

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1459
Author(s):  
Heba S. A. Salama ◽  
Ali I. Nawar ◽  
Hassan E. Khalil ◽  
Ahmed M. Shaalan
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Farming System ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Egyptian Clover ◽  
Maize Grain Yield ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
N Use

The sequence of the preceding crops in a no-tillage farming system, could interact with the integrated use of mineral and organic nitrogen (N) sources in a way that improves the growth and productivity of the terminal maize crop, meanwhile, enhancing its N use efficiency (NUE). In the current study, six legume-cereal crop sequences, including faba bean, soybean, Egyptian clover, wheat, and maize were evaluated along two experimental rotations that ended up by planting the terminal maize crop. In addition, the effects of applying variable mineral nitrogen (MN) rates with and without the incorporation of farmyard manure (FYM) on the productive performance of maize and its NUE were tested. The field experiments were conducted in a no-tillage irrigated farming system in Northern Egypt, a location that is characterized by its arid, Mediterranean climate. Results revealed that increasing the legume component in the evaluated crop sequences, up to 75%, resulted in improved maize ear leaf area, 1000-grain weight, and harvest index, thus, a higher final grain yield, with the inclusion of Egyptian clover was slightly better than faba bean. Comparing the crop sequences with 50% legume contribution uncovered the positive effects of soybean preceding crop on the terminal maize crop. Substituting 25% of the applied MN with FYM resulted in similar maize yields to the application of the equivalent 100% MN rates. The fertilizer treatments significantly interacted with the crop sequences in determining the maize grain yield, where the highest legume crop contribution in the crop sequence (75%) equalized the effects of the different fertilizer treatments on maize grain yield. The integrated use of FYM with MN in maize fertilization improved the NUE compared to the application of MN alone. Comparing fertilization treatments with similar MN content, with and without FYM, revealed that the difference in NUE was attributed to the additional amount of FYM. In similar conditions to the current study, it is recommended to grow faba bean two years before maize, while Egyptian clover could be grown directly preceding maize growth, with frequent inclusion of soybean in the sequence, this could be combined with the application of an average of 200 kg MN ha−1 in addition to FYM.

Husk Removal and Its Effects on Maize Grain Yield

Crop Science ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 961-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Salvador ◽  
R. Brent. Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Maize Grain Yield ◽  
Maize Grain
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