Aftab Wajid

Application of CSM-CERES-Maize model in optimizing irrigated conditions:

Maize is one of the main cereal crops in Pakistan with sensitivity to drought at various developmental stages known to influence the yield. The impact of variable weather conditions on maize yield can be analyzed with crop simulation models. The CSM-CERES-Maize model has been widely used to assess irrigation strategies for maize. This research was conducted to test the CSM-CERES-Maize model for its ability to accurately predict maize biomass and grain yield under water limiting and non-limiting conditions in semiarid conditions. Four growth stage-based irrigation treatments and two potential soil moisture deficit-based treatments were defined. During model calibration, the simulated maximum leaf area index (LAI), total dry matter (TDM), and grain yield were all within 10% of observed values. During model evaluation, there was generally satisfactory agreement between observed and simulated values for two hybrids (Monsanto-919 and Pioneer-30Y87) with the model showing variability of −17.9–20.0%, −9.2–14.3%, and −19.6–19.9% for maximum LAI, TDM, and grain yield, respectively, for the two hybrids among various treatments. The CERES-Maize model was useful in providing information to decision-making regarding diverse irrigation regimes at the farm level in a semiarid environment.

NITROGEN FERTILIZATION AND NARROW PLANT SPACING STIMULATES SUNFLOWER PRODUCTIVITY

ABSTRACT Plant population exerts a strong influence on growth and seed yield because of its competitive effect both on the vegetative and reproductive development. For evaluating the effect of different plant populations (83,333, 66,666 and 55,555 plants ha -1 ) and N rates (90, 120 and 150 kg N ha -1 ) on sunflower hybrid (Hysun-33) a field experiment was conducted during spring seasons of 2012 and 2013 using split plot design with three replications at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Results revealed that each N increment enhances the total dry matter, achene yield and its components while oil contents were undesirably affected. During both years, total dry matter, achene yield and harvest index were detected from 83, 333 plants ha -1 . Contradictorily, yield components (head diameter, number of achenes per head and 1000-achene weight) were highest in 55,555 plants ha -1 treatment. Application of 150 kg N ha -1 in 83,333 plants ha -1 plant population was best treatment to attain maximum achene yield. Keywords: correlation, nitrogen, plant population, regression, achene, sunflower, yield.

Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on maize hybrids under agro-environmental conditions of Faisalabad-Pakistan

crop is the 3 rd cereal crop of Pakistan after wheat and rice. According to the economic survey of Pakistan, it is cultivated on the area of approximately, 1.11 million hectare and production from this area was 4.04 million tone s. A field experiment was conducted at Agronomic Re search Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-Pakistan to examine the effect of organic and inorganic fertilization on maize productivity. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block De sign (RCBD), with four replications. Two maize hybrids were used in this experiment. The results showed that maize yield and its component such a s cobs per plant, cob length, number of grains per cob, 1000 -grain weight were maximum when the plots were fertilized at 100 kg N ha -1 as urea + 100 kg N ha -1 as poultry manure. Further re search is desired to inve stigate maximum yield by using organic source of fertilizer than inorganic source of fertilizer to avoid lethal effects on human health created by inorganic fertilizers.