The agricultural environmnet of maize / millet with tree system in the eastern middle hills of Nepal
Material type: TextPublication details: Kathmandu (Nepal) NARC|CIMMYT : 2002Description: p. 117-124ISBN:- 99933-205-1-X
- 631.536 RAJ
Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | Copy number | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Book | CIMMYT Knowledge Center: John Woolston Library | CIMMYT Publications Collection | 631.536 RAJ (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | 1 | Available | O631641 |
Effects of farmers' management practices and the presence of fodder trees on crop terrace risers, on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yield were investigated on bari (upper-slope, rainfed) land in the eastern middle hills of Nepal. The seed rates used by farmers were much higher (180%) than the nationally recommended rate but final plant population density at harvest was 38% lower than recommended. Farmers manipulated plant population to satisfy multiple objectives, including fodder supply from thinned maize plants and risk mitigation as well as grain yield. Incident light levels for most of the growing season were well below the light saturation point for maize. Mean photosynthetically active radiation (P AR) incident on maize in farm conditions was less than 700 umol m-2s-1. Grain yield was 36% lower under tree shade than in the open. While there was no evidence for varietal differences in tolerance to shade, differences between varieties in rooting behaviour were observed in an on-station study with artificial shade. Local varieties had deeper rooting systems than Manakamana-1. Maize varieties with deeper root systems that are adapted to low light are required if the productivity of maize in these complex systems is to be improved.
Conservation Agriculture Program
English
0304|AGRIS 0301|AL-Maize Program|R01PROCE
Juan Carlos Mendieta
INT3018
CIMMYT Publications Collection