Tillage systems and nitrogen timings effect on growth, stay green and grain quality in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Nitrogen (N), being mobile in soil is exposed to various losses owing to unwise use of nitrogen fertilizer, and conventional soil and crop management practices which can be minimized by temporal nitrogen application and different tillage practices. This study was conducted to elucidate the effect of different tillage systems and nitrogen timings on growth, stay green and grain quality in maize. Three tillage systems viz. T1: tillage with cultivator, T2: mouldboard plough + 2-cultivations, T3: chisel plough + 2-cultivations; and five nitrogen timings viz. N1: whole at sowing, N2: ½ at sowing+½ at V5 (5-leaf stage), N3: ½ at sowing+½ at tasseling, N4: ½ at V5+½ at tasseling, N5: 1/3 at sowing+1/3 at V5+1/3 at tasseling). Tillage systems and nitrogen application had significant effect on leaf area per plant, specific leaf area and leaf area ratio. Tillage systems had non-significant effect on stay green and grain quality parameters except for oil contents. However, nitrogen timings had significant effect on chlorophyll a, b and total contents as well as grain quality parameters. The higher a, b and total chlorophyll contents were noted with three splits i.e. 1/3 at sowing+1/3 at V5+1/3 at tasseling compared with other treatments. The results suggest to grow maize by preparing the field through chisel plough and applying N in three splits to improve its growth, chlorophyll contents and grain quality.

Fertilization time of slow‐release fertilizer affects the physicochemical properties of starch from spring‐sown waxy maize

“…The highest starch content observed under SN6 was perhaps due to the possibility that the postponement of fertilization favored grain filling and amyloplastic development, as reported in rice. 13 Studies on the effects of different application times of traditional fertilizers also reported that postponing N application increases the starch content in normal maize 5 and rice. 14 Relative to the NCK mode, treatments SN3 and SN6 produced similar starch contents.…”

“…High N application rates decrease grain breakage susceptibility and increase grind time and hard endosperm percentage 3 . Split N application times can increase grain yield and protein content, 4 and postponing N application to the tasseling stage can improve grain quality by increasing starch and protein contents 5 . In rice, N application can enhance gelatinization parameters by improving protein content, 6 increasing starch pasting temperature and final and setback viscosities, and decreasing peak and breakdown viscosities 7 .…”

“…3 Split N application times can increase grain yield and protein content, 4 and postponing N application to the tasseling stage can improve grain quality by increasing starch and protein contents. 5 In rice, N application can enhance gelatinization parameters by improving protein content, 6 increasing starch pasting temperature and final and setback viscosities, and decreasing peak and breakdown viscosities. 7 At high N levels, high protein contents are the primary contributor to grain quality deterioration, although low amylose contents might contribute to improved starch pasting properties.…”