Compost and Nitrogen Management Influence Productivity of Spring Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>L.) under Deep and Conventional Tillage Systems in Semi-arid Regions
On-farm research was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) and compost (C) on yield and yield components of spring maize (Zea mays L.) under conventional and deep tillage system (T) at the research farm of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan, during spring 2013. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement, using three replications. Three compost levels (0, 1, and 2 t ha−1) and two tillage systems (conventional and deep tillage) were allotted to the main plot, whereas N levels (60, 90, 120, and 150 kg N ha−1) were allotted to subplots in the form of urea. Nitrogen and compost levels had significantly affected all the parameters. Plots treated with 150 kg N ha−1 increased ear length (31 cm), grains ear−1 (413), thousand-grain weight (240.2 g), grain yield (3097 kg ha−1), straw yield (9294 kg ha−1), harvest index (24.7 percent), and shelling percentage (81.7 percent). Compost applied at 2 t ha−1 increased ear length (32 cm), grain...