Effect of Tillage and Nutrient Management Practices on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index of Maize

Aims: The aim of the experiment was to study the NDVI values of maize crop at knee height stage and pre tasseling stage as an indicator of crop health under different tillage practices and precision nutrient management strategies. Study Design: The experiment was conducted in split plot design using six tillage practices (Conventional Tillage, Conventional Tillage + Chisel Plough, Permanent Ridges, Permanent Bed, Zero Tillage and Minimum Tillage) in main plots and three nutrient management strategies [Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM), GreenSeeker guided nitrogen application (GS), and 100% Recommended Dose of Nutrients (RDN)] in sub plots. Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India, for two years i.e., 2022 and 2023. Methodology: Conventional tillage involved two passes of harrowing and one rotavator. Conventional tillage + chisel plough included the additional use of a chisel plough after every four years. In permanent ridge and permanent bed strip, raised soil configurations were reshaped after every crop. In zero tillage, land preparation was limited to opening of seed furrows and crop was sown directly. In minimum tillage field was tilled through only with single pass of rotavator. In SSNM using “Maize Nutrient Expert” nutrient application was done at the rate of 130:33:66 kg N: P2O5: K2O per ha. Under GS treatments maize nitrogen application was done as (40 + GS) N per ha. The 100% RDN for maize was 120:60:40 kg N: P2O5: K2O per ha. Results: Results indicated significant variations in NDVI values at knee height stage and at pre tasseling stage due to different tillage practices where zero tillage and conventional + chisel plough were found significantly superior. NDVI values among nutrient management strategies were not statistically different. Correlation studies concluded that NDVI of kharif maize crop is negatively correlated to minimum temperature, maximum temperature, number of rainy days and amount of rainfall received. Zero tillage and conventional + chisel plough sustain crop health even under excess rainfall conditions. Conclusion: Zero tillage and conventional + chisel plough can be advocated for the better health of kharif maize crop even under varied weather conditions.