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

Heba S. A. Salama,Ahmed M. Shaalan,Ali I. Nawar,Hassan E. Khalil

doi:10.3390/plants10071459

Heba S. A. Salama, Ahmed M. Shaalan + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10071459

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Abstract

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.

Highlights

The agricultural systems in Egypt and other developing countries are nowadays facing an unprecedented challenge in adequately feeding their continuously growing populations
Clear in the present study that farmyard manure (FYM) compensated the reduction in mineral nitrogen (MN) only at higher MN rates (FT5 and FT6), highlighting the fact that a minimum MN rate is always required to achieve a reasonable amount of maize yield
Increasing the legume component in the evaluated crop sequences, led to higher maize grain yields, with the inclusion of Egyptian clover being slightly better than faba bean

Summary

Introduction

The agricultural systems in Egypt and other developing countries are nowadays facing an unprecedented challenge in adequately feeding their continuously growing populations. Due to the extreme aridity of Egypt’s climate, agriculture is mainly dependent on irrigation [1,2], concentrated along the narrow Nile Valley and Delta region It is, crucial to plan the use and management of the limited arable land and restricted agricultural inputs to achieve the maximum benefit from the farming practice. A well-designed crop rotation, coupled with minimum soil disturbance (no-tillage), enhances the productivity of the component crops through crop residue retention [6] It contributes to weed and pest control [7] and improves the soil’s physical and nutritional qualities by reducing soil erosion, improving soil water holding capacity [8], and fortifying the soil organic matter [9,10]. The presence of both cereals and legumes is very common in a crop rotation that is designed to enhance productivity and increase the economic value of the farming system [11,12]

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