Effect of tillage and fertilizer doses on growth and growth indices of soybean (Glycine max L.) under conservation tillage systems

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2019 at the Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, CSKHPKV, Palampur to study the effect of tillage and fertilizer doses on growth and growth indices of soybean under conservation tillage systems. The experiment consisted of twelve treatment combinations which included three tillage systems minimum tillage, minimum tillage with crop residue and conventional tillage and four fertility levels viz; 25 % recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) , 50 %(RDF) , 75 % RDF and 100% RDF and which were tested in split plot design with tillage system in main plots and fertility levels in sub plots.The soil texture of experimental site was silty clay loam. Minimum tillage along with crop residues (T2)recorded significantly taller plants and higher dry matter accumulation followed by conventional tillage. Absolute growth rate, crop growth rate, dry matter efficiency, relative growth rate and unit area efficiency were significantly higher with minimum tillage + crop residue treatment. Application of 100 % followed by 75 % recommended dose of fertilizer resulted in significantly higher growth parameters and growth indices.