Evaluating different nitrogen sources Evaluating different nitrogen sources for sustainable production of autumn for sustainable production of autumn maize (maize (Zea maysZea mays L.) L.)

Synopsis DefenceSynopsis Defence

Supervisor: Dr. Haroon Zaman Supervisor: Dr. Haroon Zaman KhanKhan

MaizeMaizeImportant cereal cropImportant cereal crop (Chaudhary, 1983)

Cultivated area = 950 thousand haCultivated area = 950 thousand ha

Annual production = 3,341 thousand tAnnual production = 3,341 thousand t (Govt. of Pakistan, 2010-2011)

Serves as, Serves as,

food for human; food for human;

feed for livestock & poultry;feed for livestock & poultry;

and raw material for agro-based industries and raw material for agro-based industries (Tariq (Tariq et al.,et al., 2002) 2002)

Importance of N• Plant normally contain 1 to 5% by weight of N.Plant normally contain 1 to 5% by weight of N.

• Essential component of Amino acid.Essential component of Amino acid.

• Integral component of chlorophyll and enzymes.Integral component of chlorophyll and enzymes.

• Building block of plant tissues.Building block of plant tissues.

• Stimulation of root growth and uptake of other nutrients.Stimulation of root growth and uptake of other nutrients.

• Imbalance use of nitrogen can cause delaying maturity, Imbalance use of nitrogen can cause delaying maturity, effect the availability of P, K and S.effect the availability of P, K and S.

• Chances of lodging.Chances of lodging.

• More chances of insect attack.More chances of insect attack.

(Anonymous, 2000; Belger et al., 1978)

Role of N in maizeRole of N in maize

• LAILAI

• LADLAD

• Quality & quantity of grainQuality & quantity of grain

• No. of grains per cobNo. of grains per cob

• 1000 grain weight1000 grain weight

• Stem diameterStem diameter

• Grain sizeGrain size

• Stover yieldStover yield

• Plant heightPlant height

• Grain proteinGrain protein

(Tisdale et al., 1990)

Causes of low yield of maizeCauses of low yield of maize

Poor/Improper soil preparationPoor/Improper soil preparation

Use of unapproved seed/variety Use of unapproved seed/variety

Improper irrigationImproper irrigation

Weed infestation Weed infestation

Insect attack Insect attack

Less or no appl. of manure Less or no appl. of manure The sub-optimal & imbalanced use of nutrientsThe sub-optimal & imbalanced use of nutrients (Ahmad and Muhammad, 1998)(Ahmad and Muhammad, 1998)

Problems associated with sole application of Problems associated with sole application of chemical fertilizers & organic manurechemical fertilizers & organic manure

Chemical fertilizersChemical fertilizers Health hazardsHealth hazards

Role in global warmingRole in global warming

SalinitySalinity

ExpensiveExpensive

ShortageShortage

LossesLosses

Adulteration Adulteration

(Tolessa and Friesen, 2001)(Tolessa and Friesen, 2001)

Organic manureOrganic manure Pathogen & weed seed Pathogen & weed seed

problemproblem

N leachingN leaching

Expensive to transport & applyExpensive to transport & apply

Carry imbalance amount of Carry imbalance amount of nutrientsnutrients

Improper availability of Improper availability of nutrientsnutrients

(Oad (Oad et alet al, 2004), 2004)

Comparison b/w fresh & composted manureComparison b/w fresh & composted manure

Fresh manureFresh manure

o More chance of leaching of NoMore chance of leaching of No3 3 (N)(N)

o Higher dose is requiredHigher dose is required

o Less conc. of nutrients.Less conc. of nutrients.

o Wider C: N ratioWider C: N ratio

o Pathogen cause health hazardsPathogen cause health hazards

o Less effective, economical & Less effective, economical & sustainable for both agriculture & sustainable for both agriculture & environmentenvironment

(Andraski (Andraski et al.,et al., 2000 ) 2000 )

Composted manureComposted manure

o Less chance of leaching of NoLess chance of leaching of No3 3 (N)(N)

o Less amount can be appliedLess amount can be applied

o More conc. of nutrientsMore conc. of nutrients

o Narrow C: N ratioNarrow C: N ratio

o Free from pathogen & weed seedsFree from pathogen & weed seeds

o More effective, economical & More effective, economical & sustainable for both agriculture & sustainable for both agriculture & environmentenvironment

(Cooperband (Cooperband et al.,et al., 2002) 2002)

Sugar industrySugar industry

• 22ndnd largest agro based industry. largest agro based industry.

• Thousand of tones of PrM produced annually cause great disposal Thousand of tones of PrM produced annually cause great disposal problems.problems.

• Recently, it is being used as fertilizer. Recently, it is being used as fertilizer. (Tandon, 1999)

• The higher amount of NPK in PrM hs made it valuable nutrient The higher amount of NPK in PrM hs made it valuable nutrient source.source. (Rakkiyappan et al., 2001)

• Use of PrM provides a feasible & cost effective disposal alternative.Use of PrM provides a feasible & cost effective disposal alternative. (Nirmala and Sachan, 2002)

• It increases CEC for 30 months after its application.It increases CEC for 30 months after its application.(Rodella et al., 1990)

• And its residual effect remains four years.And its residual effect remains four years. (Viator et al., 2002)

Press-mud compostPress-mud compost

PrM in the form of compost could be more effective as compare to fresh PrM in the form of compost could be more effective as compare to fresh form.form.

(Tandon, 1995)

It contains value-added nutrients of Rs. 2897/= when compared with It contains value-added nutrients of Rs. 2897/= when compared with chemical fertilizer.chemical fertilizer.

(Arain and Qamar, 2004)

PrM compost cut 25-50% use of the chemical fertilizers.PrM compost cut 25-50% use of the chemical fertilizers.(Duran, 1993)

Addition of P is unnecessary & even potentially adverse, when the soil Addition of P is unnecessary & even potentially adverse, when the soil receive 10 t PrM compost hareceive 10 t PrM compost ha-1-1..

(Orlando et al., 1991)

Poultry industryPoultry industry

Commercial farms of Layer = 4632 Commercial farms of Layer = 4632

Commercial farms of Broiler = 16489 Commercial farms of Broiler = 16489

Commercial farms of Breeding = 553 Commercial farms of Breeding = 553

Fastly growing industryFastly growing industry

Producing significant amount of wasteProducing significant amount of waste

(Govt. of Pakistan, 2010-2011)

Poultry manure compostPoultry manure compostIt can supply,It can supply,

N = 101 thousand tones N = 101 thousand tones PP22OO55 = 58 thousand tones and = 58 thousand tones and KK22O = 26 thousand tones O = 26 thousand tones (Bari, 2003) (Bari, 2003)

It reduces environmental pollution associated with manure application.It reduces environmental pollution associated with manure application.

It also increases the agronomic effectiveness of manure. It also increases the agronomic effectiveness of manure. (Mahimairaja (Mahimairaja et al.,et al., 1995) 1995)

Application of composted PM provided 51.3% of N.Application of composted PM provided 51.3% of N. (Yan (Yan et al. et al. 2002) 2002)

Higher P uptake is observed from PM compost as compare to fresh. Higher P uptake is observed from PM compost as compare to fresh. (Cooperband (Cooperband et al., et al., 2002)2002)

Digested PM enhanced the growth characteristics of maize plants. Digested PM enhanced the growth characteristics of maize plants. (Adelekan (Adelekan et al.,et al., 2010) 2010)

Combine use of compost with chemical Combine use of compost with chemical fertilizerfertilizerEnriching of compost with nutrients increase its efficacy by enhancing the Enriching of compost with nutrients increase its efficacy by enhancing the

nutrients %age. nutrients %age. It reduce the rates of organic manure to hundred kg haIt reduce the rates of organic manure to hundred kg ha-1-1 instead of t ha instead of t ha-1-1. .

It can enhance the nutrient contents of compost and hence could be used at It can enhance the nutrient contents of compost and hence could be used at rates as low as 300 kg harates as low as 300 kg ha-1-1 to increase maize production. to increase maize production.

(Ahmad (Ahmad et al., et al., 2008) 2008) It appears to be a better alternative to using them in lower amounts of It appears to be a better alternative to using them in lower amounts of

enriched compost and inorganic N fertilizer to meet the crop N enriched compost and inorganic N fertilizer to meet the crop N requirements. requirements.

(Vinneras, 2007)(Vinneras, 2007)DAP + Compost performed better in boosting the maize growth parameters. DAP + Compost performed better in boosting the maize growth parameters.

(Bibi (Bibi et al.,et al., 2010) 2010)

Compost application (50 kg N haCompost application (50 kg N ha-1)-1) along with remaining required N through along with remaining required N through fertilizer gave the highest maize grain yield. fertilizer gave the highest maize grain yield.

(Jeyabal (Jeyabal et alet al., 1998) ., 1998) Use of compost (@ 5 t haUse of compost (@ 5 t ha-1-1)) with 50% N and P improved the physical & with 50% N and P improved the physical &

chemical status particularly N & K content of the soil. chemical status particularly N & K content of the soil. (Sanjeev (Sanjeev et al.,et al., 2007) 2007)

ObjectivesObjectives

• To determine the comparative usefulness of composted manures in To determine the comparative usefulness of composted manures in increasing maize yield.increasing maize yield.

• To evaluate the impact of composted manure with & without chemical To evaluate the impact of composted manure with & without chemical fertilizer on the growth & yield of maize.fertilizer on the growth & yield of maize.

• To find out the astitute requirements of N for augmentation the crop To find out the astitute requirements of N for augmentation the crop yield.yield.

• To perform economic analysis for recommending an optimum dose of To perform economic analysis for recommending an optimum dose of N derived from either an organic or a chemical sources.N derived from either an organic or a chemical sources.

Materials & MethodsMaterials & Methods

Trial 1: Effect of rate and source of Trial 1: Effect of rate and source of compost based organic material on the compost based organic material on the production potential of autumn maize production potential of autumn maize ((Zea maysZea mays L.) L.)

MethodologyMethodology

DesignDesign :: Randomized Complete Block Design Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD)(RCBD)

ReplicationsReplications :: 33

Plot sizePlot size : : 3 m x 6 m3 m x 6 m

CropCrop :: Autumn maizeAutumn maize

Seed rateSeed rate :: 30 kg ha30 kg ha-1-1

RecommendedRecommended Fertilizer :Fertilizer : 250: 125: 125 kg ha 250: 125: 125 kg ha-1-1

Treatments:Treatments:TT00 : : ControlControl

TT11 : : 2 t ha2 t ha-1-1 Poultry manure compost Poultry manure compost

TT22 : : 4 t ha4 t ha-1-1 Poultry manure compost Poultry manure compost

TT33 :: 6 t ha6 t ha-1-1 Poultry manure compost Poultry manure compost

TT44 :: 8 t ha8 t ha-1-1 Poultry manure compost Poultry manure compost

TT55 : : 10 t ha10 t ha-1-1 Poultry manure compost Poultry manure compost

TT66 : : 2 t ha2 t ha-1-1 Press-mud compost Press-mud compost

TT77 : : 4 t ha4 t ha-1-1 Press-mud compost Press-mud compost

TT88 : : 6 t ha6 t ha-1-1 Press-mud compost Press-mud compost

TT99 : : 8 t ha8 t ha-1-1 Press-mud compost Press-mud compost

TT1010: : 10 t ha10 t ha-1-1 Press-mud compost Press-mud compost

Trial 2: Integrated management of Trial 2: Integrated management of nitrogen for autumn maize (nitrogen for autumn maize (Zea maysZea mays L.)L.)

Treatments:Treatments:TT00 : : ControlControl

TT11 : : 100% N from Poultry manure compost 100% N from Poultry manure compost

TT22 : : 75% N from Poultry manure compost + 25% N from Urea75% N from Poultry manure compost + 25% N from Urea

TT33 :: 50% N from Poultry manure compost + 50% N from Urea50% N from Poultry manure compost + 50% N from Urea

TT44 :: 25% N from Poultry manure compost + 75% N from Urea25% N from Poultry manure compost + 75% N from Urea

TT55 : : 100% N from Press-mud compost 100% N from Press-mud compost

TT66 : : 75% N from Press-mud compost + 25% N from Urea 75% N from Press-mud compost + 25% N from Urea

TT77 : : 50% N from Press-mud compost + 50% N from Urea50% N from Press-mud compost + 50% N from Urea

TT88 : : 25% N from Press-mud compost + 75% N from Urea 25% N from Press-mud compost + 75% N from Urea

TT99 : : 100% N from Urea100% N from Urea

Observations to be recordedObservations to be recorded

A. Yield related parameters:A. Yield related parameters:

1.1. Number of plants mNumber of plants m-2-2 at harvest at harvest2.2. Plant height at harvest (cm)Plant height at harvest (cm)3.3. Cob weight (g)Cob weight (g)4.4. Cob length (cm)Cob length (cm)5.5. Cob diameter (cm)Cob diameter (cm)6.6. Number of cobs per plantNumber of cobs per plant7.7. Number of grain rows per cobNumber of grain rows per cob8.8. Number of grains per cobNumber of grains per cob9.9. Grain weight per cob (g)Grain weight per cob (g)10.10.1000-grain weight (g)1000-grain weight (g)11.11.Biological yield (t haBiological yield (t ha-1-1))12.12.Grain yield (t haGrain yield (t ha-1-1))

B. Allometry:B. Allometry:

1.1. Leaf area index (LAI)Leaf area index (LAI)2.2. Leaf area duration (LAD)Leaf area duration (LAD)3.3. Crop growth ratio (g mCrop growth ratio (g m-2-2 day day-1-1))4.4. Net assimilation rate (g mNet assimilation rate (g m-2-2 day day-1-1))5.5. Harvest index (%)Harvest index (%)

C. Quality parameters:C. Quality parameters:

1.1. Seed crude protein contents (%)Seed crude protein contents (%)2.2. Seed starch contents (%)Seed starch contents (%)3.3. Seed oil contents (%)Seed oil contents (%)

Statistical analysisStatistical analysis

Data as regard to growth and yield contributing parameters Data as regard to growth and yield contributing parameters will be will be

recorded at different stages. The data will be subjected to recorded at different stages. The data will be subjected to analyze analyze

statistically using analysis of variance technique and statistically using analysis of variance technique and treatment meanstreatment means

will be compared at 5% probability level.will be compared at 5% probability level.

(Steel (Steel et al., et al., 1997)1997)

Economical analysisEconomical analysis

Economical analysis will also be conducted for all the treatments to Economical analysis will also be conducted for all the treatments to estimate the net income and benefit cost ratio. The purpose of thisestimate the net income and benefit cost ratio. The purpose of thisanalysis was to estimate the economic returns of each productivityanalysis was to estimate the economic returns of each productivitylevel.level. (CIMMYT, (CIMMYT,

1988)1988)

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