Maize response to different ploughing systems

Abstract EN

A field experiment to investigate the effect of some ploughing systems on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yield was carried out during two summer seasons ; 2006 and 2007, at Dongola area-Northern State (Sudan).

The study investigated ploughing practices were disc ploughing (20 cm depth) followed by disc harrowing and levelling, chisel ploughing (30 cm depth) followed by disc harrowing and levelling, and no-ploughing.

Before the application of the treatments, the land was freed from weeds and crop residues using hand hoe and axe except the no-ploughing plots in which resulted a high number of weeds.

Ploughing practices had significant effect (P ≤ 0.05) on plant height 30 and 45 days after sowing, plant population, number of seeds / cob and stover yield.

Ploughing practices had also significant effects (P ≤ 0.01) on leaf area index, cob length, grain yield, and field water use efficiency.

Disc ploughing treatment gave the highest values of all mentioned parameters in both seasons.