THE IMPACT OF BARLEY RESIDUE MANAGEMENT AND TILLAGE ON FORAGE MAIZE

In order to determine the influence of tillage and residue management on yield, protein and nitrate of maize (cv. SC 704) in climatic condition of Esfahan, Iran, an experiment was conducted at research farm, faculty of agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Esfahan (Khorasgan) branch in 2009 and 2010. Three factors randomized complete block design with Split-split plot combined over years was used to determine the influence of plant density and nitrogen on forage and seed yield of maize. The main plots were years, 2009 and 2010. The subplots were different kinds of tillage system, namely disk harrow, tooth harrow and moldboard, and Split subplots were consist of 100% burning of barely residues, 50% burning of barley residues, 100% residue retention and 50% residue retention. The experimental field was under cultivation of barley. In this experiment the highest final plant height, stem diameter, LAI, total fresh yield, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, ear dry weight, and total dry yield were recorded in 2009, while the maximum protein percentage was achieved in 2010. The higher values of total fresh yield, ear dry weight and total dry weight was recorded with disk harrow, as compared to those of other treatments; however, the maximum protein percentage was achieved by using of moldboard. The highest final plant height, LAI, total fresh yield, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight and total dry yield were obtained by 100% burning, however, the maximum protein percentage was related to 50% residue retention. Moreover, the values of fresh forage yield and dry forage yield were appropriate in 50% reside retention. Retaining crop residues can warrant improvements in the sustainability in crop productivity. Using tooth harrow followed by residue retention in maize cropping after barley, was recommended to farmers in climatic condition of Isfahan.