The effect of fertilizers on maize yield under two tillage systems

Abstract

In order to investigate the possibilities of maize production under lower intensity tillage systems, the 3 factorial experiment was set up on chernozem type of soil in Zemun Polje-Belgrade, with the following factors: tillage systems (reduced tillage and no tillage), amount of fertilizers (without fertilizers and with 660 kg/ha of NPK fertilizers) and irrigation (without irrigation and with irrigation). Each treatment was replicated four times in split-plot design, using plots of 28 m2 size. With the exception of 1989, higher yields were recorded when 660 kg/ha of fertilizers were used, in comparison with yields obtained without fertilizers. They averaged 9.79 t/ha, meaning an increase of 24.24% (1.91 t/ha). The effect of fertilizing on maize yield was better under no tillage in comparison with reduced tillage system. In no tillage system, yield increase due to use of fertilizers averaged to 30.60% (1.94 t/ha) in dry land farming and to 32.58% (2.59 t/ha) under irrigation. Under reduced tillage system, it averaged to 14.34% (1.04 t/ha) in dry land farming and to 20.42% (2.04 t/ha) under irrigation. The effect of fertilizing was better when irrigation was applied. When no fertilizers were used, the yield averaged to 6.80 t/ha in dry farming and to 8.97 t/ha under irrigation. Yield increase, due to application of fertilizers, averaged to 21.93% (1.49 t/ha) in dry land farming and to 25.81% (2.32 t/ha) under irrigation.