Effect of tillage practices and fertilizer levels on the performance of major rice-based crops under rain fed lowland condition
2008
Bucao, D.S. | Utrera, R.T. | Birginias, M.C.B. | Galacgac, E.S., Don Mariano Marcos State Univ., Batac 2906, Ilocos Norte (Philippines)
Crop production systems after rice in the rainfed areas of Ilocos [Philippines] are characterized ass diversified and intensified. Input for those dry season crops particularly inorganic fertilizer is excessive. Until recently, agriculture has been blamed for nitrates, P and pesticides found in ground and surface waters. Tillage is indispensable in this kind of cropping systems but it has also disadvantages if practiced excessively. The study was conducted to determine the effect of fertilizer levels on the growth and yield performance of corn, garlic, tomato and sweet pepper under zero, minimum and conventional tillage practices.Planting materials were UPLB Lagkitan (corn), Ilocos white (garlic), Yolo Wonder (sweet pepper), and Hybrid 1 (tomato). The yield experiment was laid out using strip plot design with the two replications. The experimental treatments were tillage practice (horizontal factor) and fertilizer level (vertical factor). Tillage practices comprised of: 1) zero tillage-no cultivation was done; 2) minimum tillage - only the crop row was cultivated using animal drawn plow; and 3) conventional tillage - the area was cultivated using a tractor.Fertilizer level treatments were soil analysis-based, recommended rate and high N. Other cultural management was based on the package of technology per crop. Results of the study showed that growing sweet pepper in zero tillage and minimum tillage is possible. Growing corn and tomato under zero tillage and minimum tillage showed better performance than conventional tillage. Zero tillage and minimum tillage can be a good soil management option to improve soil condition and sustained crop production requires lesser energy, inputs. For best N fertilizer application for corn, garlic, sweet pepper, and tomato; zero tillage and recommended rate of fertilizer application is recommended.
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