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Changes induced by cowpea green manure and farmyard manure in the timing of phenological events in maize (Zea mays)
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
Summary
The effect of cowpea green manure (CGM) and farmyard manure (FYM) on phenological events in maize grown with different rates of nitrogen (N) was evaluated at Ludhiana, India in 1988–89 as part of a long-term experiment on sandy loam. Tasselling (T), anthesis (A), silking (S), maturity (M) and appearance of leaves were recorded in 1988 and 1989 from plots of maize manured with cowpea and FYM and grown at 0, 75 and 125 kg N/ha. Time to phenological events was calculated in terms of calendar days and growing degree units (GDU).
Phenological events in maize were significantly advanced by CGM, FYM and N. The occurrence of T, A and S with CGM was earlier by 60·5, 84·5 and 114·5 GDU, respectively, than without it and the end of each of the growth stages T, A and S was advanced by 81·0, 99·0 and 78·5 GDU, respectively. Maturity was earlier than in the control by 65·0 GDU. Leaf emergence occurred earlier after organic manuring. Farmyard manure advanced development less than CGM. Changes in phenological events due to N followed the same pattern of changes as those found with organic manures. Time from sowing to onset of T, A, S and M, and the interval between T, A, S and M were significantly correlated with yield and yield-related characters. Desirable changes in the timing of phenological events are thus one of the factors contributing to the improvement in productivity caused by organic manures. Calendar day was found to be as accurate an index as GDU for evaluation of the effect of cultural practices on phenological events.
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- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991
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