Nitrogen fertilization and moisture conservation practices on maize (Zea mays L.) grown under dryland conditions of Ethiopia
2005
Woldetsadik, Girma(Bako Agricultural Research Center (Ethiopia)) | Sombat Chinawong(Kasetsart University. Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom (Thailand). Faculty of Agriculture. Dept. of Agronomy) | Rungsit Suwanketnikom(Kasetsart Univ., Bangkok (Thailand). Faculty of Agriculture. Dept. of Agronomy) | Sunanta Juntakool(Kasetsart Univ., Bangkok (Thailand). Faculty of Agriculture. Dept. of Agronomy) | Aphiphan Pookpakdi(Kasetsart Univ., Bangkok (Thailand). Faculty of Agriculture. Dept. of Agronomy)
Field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2003 to study the effect of nitrogen levels and moisture conservation practices on soil, water, yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.) in the rift valley of central Ethiopia. Grain yield was influenced by nitrogen fertilizer levels but 1000 grains weight, total biomass, straw yield, soil temperature, soil moisture content, and infiltration rate were not affected by nitrogen levels. Significant effects of harvest index and water use efficiency by nitrogen levels were observed only at Dera and Melkassa respectively. Moisture conservation practices gave more improvement in grain and straw yields, harvest index, and total biomass over flat bed due to availability of moisture than separate application Bulk density, infiltration rate, water use efficiency, and soil moisture content were also affected by moisture conservation practices. The effect of mulch to reduce the soil temperature was observed prior to maize maturity.
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