The Response of Morphological and Physiological Traits and Grain Yield of Corn to Planting Method and Sugarcane Residue Compost

In order to investigate the effect of planting method and sugarcane residue compost fertilizer on morphological and physiological traits and grain yield of corn, a field experiment using a split-plot arrangement was accomplished in a randomized complete block design with four replicates in Mian-Ab, Shooshtar, south-west Iran in summer 2018. Experimental factors included four planting methods (on ridges, on watermark, in furrows, and on flat ground) as main factor in main plots and four amounts of sugarcane residues compost (0, 10, 20, and 30 t ha-1) in sub-plots. Results showed that the effects of planting method, sugarcane residue compost, and their interaction were significant on the leaf area index, plant height, ear height, SPAD, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, grains/ear, thousand grain weight and grain yield. Mean comparison showed that the maximum amount of the examined corn traits was obtained in furrow planting and using 30 t ha-1 of sugarcane residue compost and the lowest amounts were observed in ridge planting and absence of sugarcane residue compost. The highest grain yield (6497 kg ha-1) was achieved in furrow planting and presence of 30 t ha-1 of sugarcane residue compost and the lowest grain yield (3870 kg ha-1) was in ridge planting and absence of sugarcane residue compost. In general, it seems that furrow planting by providing better growth conditions and consumption of sugarcane residues compost fertilizer due perhaps to improvement in soil nutrient availability and moisture storage capacity increase the growth and grain yield of corn in Shooshtar region.