Abstract

SALAZAR-SOSA, E; TREJO-ESCARENO, HI; VAZQUEZ-VAZQUEZ, C  and  LOPEZ-MARTINEZ, JD. Corn production under subsurface drip irrigation and application of cow manure. Phyton (B. Aires) [online]. 2007, vol.76, pp.169-185. ISSN 1851-5657.

This research was performed at the agricultural experimental center of the Facultad de Agricultura y Zootecnia, Universidad de Durango, Mexico. The main objetive was to determine the best amount of cow manure application and its effect on corn production, quality and nutrient uptake. Two factors were studied in this experiment that started in 2000. The results presented in this paper correspond to 2001. The factors were (1) crop, with the levels corn alone and corn-soybean, and (2) cow manure (with the levels: 0, 40, 80, 120, 160 Mgr/ha) and chemical fertilizer (100-150-0 kg/ha of N, P₂O₅ and K, respectively). The resulting total number of treatments was established in a complete randomized block design with three replications. Soil chemical and physical parameters, fresh and dry corn production, nutrient uptake and corn quality were measured. Results indicated statistical significance for the factor cow manure with respect to green forage production. The best treatment was 120 t/ha of cow manure application, with 103.3 Mgr/ha of green forage. With respect to protein concentration in the plant, the association corn-soybean had the highest concentration being 1.04 percent higher than that in corn alone. Average crude protein values for corn (10.3%) and corn-soybean (11.37%) were higher than those in other hybrids in the area which reach 8.5% of crude protein. Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium uptake for forage corn production were 753.3, 123 y 761.4 kg/ha, respectively. The best option for farmers in this region is to apply 120 t/ha of cow manure. In the next crop cycle and after soil tests, they will have to decide if either to apply the same amount or decrease it according to soil nutrient availability and salt concentration.

Keywords : Corn; Subsurface drip irrigation; Cow manure.

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