Abstract
Reduced tillage has become an integral component of sustainable agriculture reducing input costs and soil loss, conserve energy, reduce soil erosion and labor costs, and elimination of extensive land preparation prior to planting. Therefore, in order to investigate the effect of tillage systems on early seedling growth, fodder yield and economic analysis, the experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm of NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar during spring 2007. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design having four replications. The tillage systems consisted of no-till, reduced tillage and deep tillage. The net plot size of 30 m by 20 m was planted at the seed rate of 60 kg ha-1 as broadcast. Nitrogen and phosphorus were applied at the rate of 120 and 90 kg ha-1 . Deep tillage resulted in greater emergence m-2 (134). Reduced tillage produced taller plants (211 cm), more leaves per plant (9.3) and higher fresh and dry fodder yield of maize (130.5 & 48 t ha-1 ). Similarly, reduced tillage resulted in higher gross income (Rs. 65250) and net income (Rs. 63250). Higher value cost ratio (31.6) was recorded for reduced tillage followed by no-tillage (24.8), whereas deep tillage fetched lowest value cost ratio (11). It was concluded that reduced tillage resulted in higher fodder yield, net income and value cost ratio.
