DefinePK

Research Objective

To evaluate the growth and yield responses of maize to different tillage practices and straw incorporation under different levels of gypsum in a saline-sodic soil.

Methodology

The study was conducted in Khipro district, Sanghar, Sindh, Pakistan, during 2018-19 using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The experiment involved three factors: tillage practices (shallow tillage [ST] and deep tillage [DT]), wheat straw incorporation (3, 7, and 10 ton. ha-1), and gypsum rates (4.5, 9, and 13.5 ton. ha-1). Growth and yield parameters such as seed emergence, plant height, grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey's test.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A[Experimental Site Setup] --> B[Randomized Complete Block Design - RCBD];
    B --> C[Factorial Treatments];
    C --> D[Tillage Practices ST, DT];
    C --> E[Straw Incorporation 3, 7, 10 ton/ha];
    C --> F[Gypsum Rates 4.5, 9, 13.5 ton/ha];
    D --> G[Crop Management Sowing, Fertilization, etc.];
    E --> G;
    F --> G;
    G --> H[Data Collection Growth & Yield Parameters];
    H --> I[Statistical Analysis ANOVA, Tukey's Test];
    I --> J[Results Interpretation];
    J --> K[Conclusion & Recommendations];                    

Discussion

Saline-sodic soils negatively impact crop growth and yield due to poor fertility and salt accumulation. Tillage practices, such as deep tillage, improve soil hydraulic conductivity and drainage. Organic amendments like crop straw enhance soil health by increasing microbial activity, improving soil structure, and providing nutrients. Gypsum is a common chemical amendment for sodic soil reclamation. The study found that deep tillage combined with straw incorporation was most effective in improving maize growth and yield in saline-sodic conditions.

Key Findings

Deep tillage (DT) combined with wheat straw incorporation at 10 ton. ha-1 (DTWS10) resulted in significantly higher growth and yield traits. Shallow tillage (ST) with 10 ton. ha-1 straw incorporation (STWS10) also showed positive results. The lowest growth and yield attributes were observed with shallow tillage (ST) without straw incorporation. Gypsum application did not have a significant direct effect on maize growth and yield but helped mitigate soil salinity and sodicity. Incorporating straw into saline-sodic soils significantly enhanced maize yield and its attributes, with notable effects observed after two years of treatment.

Conclusion

All studied traits, including germination, growth, and yield, significantly varied under different tillage practices, fertilizer application, straw incorporation, and gypsum levels. The combination of deep tillage, 10 ton. ha-1 straw incorporation, and 13.5 ton. ha-1 gypsum application (T26) yielded the most promising results for maize growth and yield. Shallow tillage with no amendments (T1) showed the lowest performance.

Fact Check

* Maize production in Pakistan: Pakistan ranks as the third-largest maize-producing country globally, with an annual production of 10.6 million tons.
* Experimental duration: The study was conducted during the 2018-19 growing season.
* Best performing treatment: Treatment T26 (deep tillage + straw incorporation 10 ton/ha + gypsum 13.5 ton/ha) showed the highest results for germination, growth, and yield.

Mind Map