Browsing by Author "Arthur, Kyeremateng Francis"

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    Effects of tillage and Npk 15-15-15 fertilizer application on maize performance and soil properties
    (2015-04-21) Arthur, Kyeremateng Francis
    The effects of two tillage treatments and four NPK15-15-15 fertiliser application on Akposoe maize (Zea mays, L.) performance and soil properties were evaluated under rainfed conditions in Kumasi in the 2010 minor and the 2011 major cropping seasons. The experiment was arranged as a factorial in a randomised complete block design. Tillage consisted of disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing and No Tillage while fertiliser application included 0, 150, 250, and 350 kg ha -1 . Overall, in both 2010 and 2011, at 10 weeks after planting, the disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing presented plant height, stem girth, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, root length and dry matter yield significantly greater than that of No Tillage. In 2010, grain yield obtained under No Tillage was higher than that under disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing although there was no significant difference between the two treatments. In 2011, however, disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing resulted in a significantly higher grain yield compared with that of No Tillage. Generally, applying NPK 15-15-15 fertiliser gave statistically significant growth and yield parameters in comparison with that of the 0 kg ha -1 fertiliser application rate. In 2011, the 250 kg ha -1 fertiliser application rate gave significantly higher grain yield compared with that of the 0 kg ha -1 rate. Soil penetration resistance and dry bulk density values after harvest were lower in the disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing plots than in the No Tillage plots before ploughing. In contrast, moisture content and total porosity after harvest were higher in the disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing plots than in the No Tillage plots before ploughing. Disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing, and applying NPK15-15-15 fertiliser at 250 kg ha -1 increased maize growth and yield. Additionally, disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing reduced soil penetration resistance and bulk density while increasing soil moisture content and total porosity.