Effect of Tillage and Nitrogenous Fertilizer on Water Use and Yield of Rainfed Maize on Sloping and Level Lands

A field trial was conducted for two years with rainfed maize to evaluate the effects of three tillage methods, viz. minimum, conventional, deep and three N rates, viz. 0, 120 and 150 kg ha⁻¹ on water use and yield of crop planted on soils having 05 and 10 per cent slopes. The mean water use by the crop was slightly higher in the deep tilled than in the minimum tilled plots during first kharif season. The trend was reversed during the second season. The maximum yield of maize was obtained with deep tillage and minimum with minimum tillage treatment. The application of nitrogen increased the water use. yield and water use efficiency of the crop.