Corn-Soybean Association and Its Response to Cow Manure under Drip Irrigation

Abstract

Aims: The work was established with objective of evaluating organic fertilizer doses and its effects on soil physical properties and forage yield. Thus, solarized manure and corn variety were used. Study Design: Randomized strip-split plot design with three replications. Place and Duration of study: The experiment was conducted during 2007 and 2008; in the experimental agricultural center of the Agriculture and Zootechnic Collage of Durango University, located at km 28 of Gómez Palacio-Tlahualilo road, Durango, Mexico. Planting was carried out on April 15, 2007 and June 2, 2008. Methodology: The first factor (A) studies was crop with the levels: A1; corn, variety San Lorenzo and A2; combination corn-soybean with the same variety for corn and Cajeme for soybean, the second factor was cow manure with the levels of B1 to B5 of 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 Mg ha-1 and one additional level of chemical fertilizer of 100-150-0 of nitrogen phosphorus and potassium, respectively; The main evaluated variables were: soil temperature (°C), soil moisture (%) and Green forage yield (Mg ha-1). Results: The results indicate no statistical difference between factor (A) levels; but in factor B statistical differences among levels were found and the best was 120 Mg ha-1 with a production yield of 67.22 and 71.60 Mg ha-1 in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The treatments with cow manure application always had the highest, soil moisture percentages and lower temperatures in compare with treatments without cow manure application, outstanding the 120 and 160 Mg ha-1 treatments. Conclusion: Organic fertilizers have a positive effect on physical soil characteristics and forage yield; being a good alternative for farmer in forage corn production.