Effects of mulch-based conservation tillage and nutrient management on sweet corn growth and yield under dryland conditions

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the effect of mulch-based conservation tillage combined with different nutrient management practices on the growth and yield of sweet corn under dryland conditions. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with six treatment combinations involving tillage system, organic mulch, organic manure, and inorganic fertilizer input. Each treatment was replicated three times. Growth parameters included plant height, leaf number, and leaf color, while yield components were measured at harvest. The results showed that plant height did not differ significantly among treatments at 21 and 35 days after planting (DAP), but a significant treatment effect was detected at 49 DAP. Leaf number did not differ significantly at 21 DAP but was significantly affected at 35 and 49 DAP. This indicates that, during the initial stage, sweet corn growth was more influenced by seed reserves and plant vigor than by external treatments. However, treatment effects became clearer at the later growth stage. The integrated nutrient management treatment (P5), consisting of 50% inorganic fertilizer combined with organic manure and organic mulch, produced the best vegetative performance, with the highest plant height (178.00±06.82 cm) and leaf number (13.67±0.58 leaves per plant). P5 also produced the longest cobs (18.60±0.50 cm) while maintaining high cob weight (397±54 g) and sweetness (13.91±0.08 °Brix), both statistically comparable to full inorganic fertilization. Although full-dose inorganic fertilizer + conventional tillage treatment (P1) produced the largest cob diameter (7.36±0.11 cm), the results demonstrate that reducing inorganic fertilizer by 50% through integrated nutrient management can maintain yield quality while supporting more sustainable sweet corn production under tropical dryland conditions.

Keywords: crop productivity; dryland farming; integrated nutrient management; organic amendment; soil conservation.