Influence of Tillage and Side-dress Nitrogen on Maize (Zea mays L.) Plant Stand and Grain Yield Using the Osu Hand Planter with Altered Drum Cavity Sizes
Abstract
Average production for maize (Zea mays L) in the United States is 9.9 Mg ha-1 compared to averages of 1.8 Mg ha-1 in the developing world. Many factors account for these low yields, specifically highly advanced agricultural mechanization not available in the third world. Over the last twelve years the Division of Agriculture at Oklahoma State University has worked to develop an improved hand planter, for subsistence farmers in developing countries. Two sites evaluating the Greenseeder hand planter were initiated to further evaluate drum cavity size (Efaw and Lake Carl Blackwell). This study further analyzed the amount of urea applied per plant (0.58 to 1.16g). Added variables included two different drums and tillage (no-till, conventional). The scientific notion that plant stand, singulation and grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.) are dependent on tillage and mid-season side-dress N application, solidifies the importance of the hand planter in third world agricultural systems. Coefficients of variation from collected normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) sensor readings showed varying N uptake by plants; this is useful in determining N fertilizer rates for individual plants. Results showed a significant difference in singulation under conventional tillage (CT) at LCB. Drum 260-20 with 50 kg ha-1 and 100 kg ha-1 side-dress N had 99 and 98 percent singulation, respectively, and that was higher than drum 450s at 72 and 68 percent. Grain yield results indicated certain instances of drum 260-20 producing higher yields, yet these were statistically limited. The OSU hand planter can be recommended for use in both no-till and conventional tillage systems.
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