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Growth and Yield Response of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. var. Saccharata) as
affected by Tillage Operations and Fertilizer Applications

Article · June 2018

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 International Journal of Education and Research Vol. 6 No. 4 April 2018

GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSE OF SWEET CORN (Zea mays L. var. Saccharata) AS
AFFECTED BY TILLAGE OPERATIONS AND FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS

RONLEY C. CANATOY
Department of Soil Science,
College of Agriculture, Central Mindanao University
University Town, Musuan, Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines
Email Address: [email protected]

Abstract
Field experiment was conducted on February 2016 to May 2016 at IPB-UPLB, Musuan,
Bukidnon to determine the influence of tillage operations (conventional and zero) and the
application of different rates of Vermicompost and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of
sweet corn. Experiment was laid in a Split-plot Randomized Complete Block Design with 12
treatments replicated 3 times.
Results show that the interaction of tillage operations and fertilizer rates did not influence the
agronomic parameters of sweet corn. Conventional tillage had significant influence on the plant
height at 60 and 70 DAS, ear height and average ear diameter of sweet corn. Higher yield was
observed in conventional tillage (46404.67 ha-1). Fertilizer rates were not able to significantly
influence the growth and yield components of sweet corn. Conventional tillage was found more
advantageous than zero tillage for sweet corn production.

Key Words: Sweet corn, Conventional tillage, Zero tillage, Fertilizer rates, growth, yield,
ear

Introduction

The farmers in the Philippines at present are into various ways of devising techniques and
practices that promotes efficiency in farming, particularly with crop farming. Crop farmers are
looking into effective ways of farming that promotes both productivity and efficiency. Cultural
practices like land preparation plays a very important role in the establishment of the crop in the
field along with its performance to bear the expected yield.
Today, the demand for sweet corn had greatly increased because of its nutritional content
and good palatability where, in all ages considers it to be a good choice for snacks and even an
option for meal. These facts had brought farmers to increase the usual production of sweet corn.
Thus, considering it to be a good venture for farming business due to its increasing demand and
shorter time of maturity in the field.
The key to high quality sweet corn is rapid growth, adequate soil moisture and nutrients,
and harvesting the ears at optimum maturity. Sweet corn requires rich soil with ample nitrogen and
moisture. Soil moisture is found critical for the germination of sweet corn, as it absorb more water
than other types for germination to occur (Cox, 2010). A wide variety of soils is suitable, moreover,
it is important that the soil be well drained and well supplied with organic matter. The optimum
range of pH for this crop is 5.8 to 7.0.
Tillage is a practice which is performed to loosen the soil and to produce a good tilth.
Among the crop production factors tillage contributes up to 20% (Ahmad et al., 1996). Tillage
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method affects the sustainable use of soil resources through its influence on soil properties. Deep
tillage breaks up high density soil layer, improves the water infiltration and movement in soil,
enhances root growth, development and increases crop production potential. Deep tillage up to 90
cm soil depth results in increased corn yield (Versa et al., 1997).
Fertilizers are used to replenish the loss nutrients due to crop removal, erosion, fixation and
immobilization. Crops when given the right form, amount and balance of essential nutrients, will
eventually develop and exhibit good growth performance which is then directly related with its
productivity. Achieving a good crop performance for production will be at ease if essential nutrients
are supplied. Accordingly, this research was conducted to address and verify the influence brought
by two tillage operations (conventional and zero) and application of different rates of fertilizer on
the growth and yield of sweet corn.

Materials and Methods

A field experiment was conducted at the research station of Institute of Plant Breeding –
University of the Philippines at Los Baños (IPB-UPLB) with coordinates 7° 51' 31.788'' N and 125°
3' 40.4568'' E, Central Mindanao University (CMU) Station in February 2016 to May 2016. The
experiment was laid out in Split-plot following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with
twelve (12) treatments and three (3) replications.
The main plots or factor A were the tillage operations, namely, zero tillage and conventional
tillage. The subplots or factor B include the rates of Vermicompost and inorganic fertilizers. The
recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer (RRIF) based on soil analysis is 70 – 50 – 0 N, P2O5, K2O
kg ha-1.
The treatment combinations were the following: (T1F1) Zero tillage + No fertilizer, (T1F2)
Zero tillage + RRIF, (T1F3) Zero tillage + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1, (T1F4) No tillage + ½ RRIF + 1
ton Vermicompost ha-1, (T1F5) No tillage + ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1, (T1F6) No tillage +
RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1, (T2F1) Conventional tillage + No fertilizer, (T2F2) Conventional
tillage + RRIF , (T2F3) Conventional tillage + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1, (T2F4) Conventional tillage
+ ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1, (T2F5) Conventional tillage + ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost
ha-1 and (T2F6) Conventional tillage + RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1.
Soil sampling was done in the area prior to land preparation to determine the fertilizer
recommendation rate. Analysis was done at the Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory, College of
Agriculture, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines.
The total land area used in the experiment was 962.50 m2 (27.5 m x 35 m). It was then
divided into six (6) blocks. A one (1) meter distance was observed in every block. Second, fourth
and sixth blocks were assigned for the zero tillage blocks while first, third and fifth blocks were
assigned for conventional tillage blocks. Each block contains six (6) experimental plots with one (1)
meter distance per experimental plot. Each experimental plot has a dimension of 3.75 m x 5 m
(18.75 m2).
For zero tillage experimental plots, the plots were cleared by removing all the plant
residues. A pre-emergence herbicide was applied to control emerging weeds. For conventional
tillage, the field was plowed using an animal-drawn moldboard plow. Plowing was done twice at
one week interval to destroy the weeds. Harrowing was done after plowing to further pulverize
larger soil aggregates. Furrows were made at the time of planting at a distance of 75 cm between
rows.
A planting distance of 25 cm x 75 cm was observed all throughout the experimental area.
Dibble planting method was done on zero tillage experimental plots. While for conventional tillage
plots the usual way of planting was employed. Sweet corn seeds were planted in the rows at one
(1) seed per hill. Sown seeds were covered with fine soil immediately.
Split application of inorganic fertilizer particularly N was observed but full of the
recommendation rate of Phosphorus and Potassium was observed all throughout the experimental
area. The first application of inorganic fertilizer (N) was during the planting period and the second
was at 33 DAS following side dress application for both tillage operations. It was at this stage were
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silking and tasseling of sweet corn took place. The Vermicompost was applied in the experimental
plots assigned as treatment following the recommended rate of two (2) tons ha-1 of organic
fertilizer. It was broadcasted within each plot before the seeding operation.
Ten (10) sample plants were randomly selected from data rows in each experimental plot. A
sheet of white paper was stapled to each data plants to serve as marker and guide during data
collection.
The data for plant heights were taken at 60 and 70 DAS (at harvest). Observations were
obtained from 10 tagged plants in the data rows. Measured from the base up to the tip of the
longest leaf was made using a meter stick.
Sweet corn is considered horticulturally mature and ready for fresh market consumption
processing when the pollination silks were dried and the kernels are still immature. The husk
leaves remain tight and had a good green appearance. The ear is firm and turgid. The kernels are
plump and appear 'milky', and not doughy, when squeezed. At this point the kernels of standard
'sugary' corn are 70-75% water content and kernels of corn are at 77-78% water content. When the
sweet corn exhibited the mentioned indices, the harvesting processes immediately commenced.
Harvesting was done at the horticultural maturity of the test crop. Maturity of the test crop
was at 65 to 75 DAS. The harvest area per experimental plot was 8.44 m2 or 3.75 m x 2.25 m.
Harvesting operation was done manually with simple harvesting tool. After harvesting, appropriate
postharvest methods were employed to preserve the overall quality of the produce.
Statistical analysis was done after tabulating the gathered data through the Statistical Tool
for Agricultural Research (STAR) software. With the aid of the software, the two way analysis of
variance between Tillage Operations and Fertilizer Applications were conducted. Moreover, some
parameters were found significant as manifested in the F computed value, comparison of means
then proceeded using Honestly Significance Difference (HSD) test as the Post hoc test
undertaken.

DATA GATHERED

1. Germination Index. Germination index was obtained by counting the emerged seedlings
starting from the day it was sown.
2. Plant Height, (cm). The average plant height was measured at 60 and 70 DAS (at
harvest) within the harvest area of each plot. Data was sourced out from the 10 tagged
plants in every experimental plot. Measurement was done by measuring the plant from
base to its longest leaf.
3. Ear Height. The data for the ear height was obtained from the same tagged plants using
the primary ear (first ear from above). A measuring stick was used to measure the
height from the base of the plant towards the bottom portion of the primary ear.
4. Number of Marketable Ears (Yield ha-1). Marketable ears were counted and identified
based on the given criteria. All harvested ears in each experimental plot remained
unhusked and sorted as to marketable and non-marketable.
5. Average Ear Diameter (cm). In determining the average ear diameter, the ears were
first husked followed by gripping a measuring tape around the ear body. This was done
on the ears of the ten (10) tagged plants.

Results and Discussion

Germination Index (GI)

The germination index is a measure of both percentage and speed of germination and
assigns maximum arithmetic weight to embryos or seeds that germinate first and less weight to
those that germinate later. Table 1 showed that the germination index among the treatments using
the combined effects of treatments (tillage operations and fertilizer rates) did not significantly differ

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with each other. These results were opposite with that of Dezfuli et al. (2008) concerning the
germination index of corn.
Comparing the tillage operations means, zero tillage (T1) gave the higher germination index
compared with conventional tillage (T2). However, the two were not significantly different with one
another based on a statistical analysis.
Moreover, it was also noted statistically that fertilizer rates based on their means had no
significant difference among the six (6) rates. However, highest result was obtained on the
application of ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 (F5) with value 15.15 while the lowest was on no
fertilizer application (F1) with value 13.88.

Plant height at 60 DAS

As depicted in Table 2, combinations of tillage operations and fertilizer rates did not
significantly affect the height of sweet corn plants at 60 DAS. Experimental units with conventional
tillage + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 (T2F3) had the tallest plants with an average

Table 1. Germination index of sweet corn as affected by tillage operations and fertilizer
applications
TREATMENTS
GERMINATION INDEX
CODE DESCRIPTION
T1F1 NT + No fertilizer 15.20
T1F2 NT + Full RRIF 14.45
T1F3 NT + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 13.64
-1
T1F4 NT + ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha 14.14
-1
T1F5 NT + ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha 14.69
-1
T1F6 NT + Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha 15.21
T2F1 CT + No fertilizer 12.55
T2F2 CT + Full RRIF 14.22
-1
T2F3 CT + 2 tons Vermicompost ha 14.48

T2F4 CT + ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 13.67

T2F5 CT + ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 15.61

T2F6 CT + Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 13.97

Factor A Means (Tillage Operations)
T1 ( No Tillage) 14.56
T2 ( Conventional Tillage) 14.08
Factor B Means (Fertilizer Rates)
F1 (No fertilizer) 13.88
F2 (Full RRIF) 14.34
F3 (2 tons Vermicompost ha-1) 14.06
-1
F4 (½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha ) 13.91

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F5 (½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1) 15.15

-1
F6 (Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha ) 14.59
F-test
A ( Tillage Operations) ns
B (Fertilizer Rates) ns
AxB ns
CV, % Factor A (Tillage Operations) 14.30
CV, % Factor B (Fertilizer Rates) 10.24

ns _ not significant at 5% level of significance

Table 2. Plant height of sweet corn (cm) at 60 and 70 DAS (at harvest) as affected by tillage
operations and fertilizer applications

TREATMENTS PLANT HEIGHT, cm

† 70 DAS
CODE DESCRIPTION 60 DAS †
(At harvest)
T1F1 NT + No fertilizer 185.70 188.00
T1F2 NT + Full RRIF 189.97 191.50
-1
T1F3 NT + 2 tons Vermicompost ha 198.70 198.00
T1F4 NT + ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 177.93 180.77
-1
T1F5 NT + ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha 184.70 191.72
T1F6 NT + Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 193.47 194.20
T2F1 CT + No fertilizer 195.30 197.73
T2F2 CT + Full RRIF 207.87 203.93
T2F3 CT + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 209.67 211.47

T2F4 CT + ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 188.90 192.93

T2F5 CT + ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 202.60 204.17

T2F6 CT + Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 198.70 201.20
Factor A Means (Tillage Operations)
T1 ( No Tillage) 188.41 b 190.70 b
T2 ( Conventional Tillage) 200.51 a 201.91 a
Factor B Means (Fertilizer Rates)
F1 (No fertilizer) 190.50 192.87
F2 (Full RRIF) 198.92 197.72
-1
F3 (2 tons Vermicompost ha ) 204.19 204.74

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F4 (½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1) 183.42 186.85

F5 (½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1) 193.65 197.95
-1
F6 (Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha ) 196.09 197.70
F-test
A ( Tillage Operations) * *
B (Fertilizer Rates) ns ns
AxB ns ns
CV, % Factor A (Tillage Operations) 1.90 2.15
CV, % Factor B (Fertilizer Rates) 9.26 8.46

†
Means followed by the same letter(s) are not significantly different at 5% level of significance
based on HSD

ns _ not significant at 5% level of significance

height of 209.67 cm, whereas, experimental units with zero tillage + ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost
ha-1 (T1F4) gave the shortest plants with an average value of 177.93 cm.
Among the two (2) tillage operations, conventional tillage (T2) gave a significant taller plant
height of 200.51 cm compared to zero tillage (T1) at a value of 188.41 cm. The taller plants of the
conventional tillage may be attributed to the relative ease as to with nutrient scouting, the fact that
the soil was cultivated well. Aeration may also play a very important role on plants’ further
development due to deeper root penetration and more area for nutrient acquisition compared with
that of no tillage. However, this result was opposite with that of Thiagalingam et al. (1996) who
reported that crops grown under conventional tillage would fail to establish successfully. Moreover,
no tillage operation had exhibited better rooting ability, water utilization, and more rapid
development.
The fertilizer rates with 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 (F3) had the tallest plant heights with an
average value of 204.19 cm. While treatments with ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 (F4) had the
shortest plants with an average height of 183.42 cm. Statistical analysis would disclose that there’s
no significant effects of fertilizer rates towards the height of corn at 60 DAS.

Plant height 70 DAS (at harvest)

The plant heights of sweet corn at harvest (70 DAS) as influenced by tillage operations and
fertilizer rates ranged from 180.77 cm to 211.47 cm. Statistical analysis revealed that effects of the
interactions between the tillage operations and fertilizer applications were not significantly different
with one another as presented in Table 2.
Tillage operations exhibited a significant difference based on statistical analysis on the plant
height of sweet corn at harvest (70 DAS). Zero tillage (T1) had a value of 190.70 cm while
conventional tillage (T2) had 201.91 cm. Sweet corn plants at this stage are still growing and it
manifested that those that were planted on experimental units treated with conventional tillage
gave a significant taller height than that of plants in no tillage experimental units.
The fertilizer rates gave no significant difference on the height of sweet corn at harvest (70
DAS). However, it was noted that in treatment with ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 (F4) had the
shortest height with a value of 186.85 cm. On the other hand, tallest was observed in treatment
with 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 (F3) with a value of 204.74 cm.

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Ear height

Table 3 shows the ear height of sweet corn plants. Ear height is a very important
characteristic for breeding. The higher it is, the more ears can develop from the nodes below
(Zsubori et al, n.d). However, if it is too high the weight of the ear may bend the stalk or even break
it. Ear height of sweet corn plants as influenced by the interactions between tillage operation and
fertilizer rates provided values from 81.50 cm to 95.40 cm. It was in plants treated with no tillage +
½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 (T1F4) that had the shortest ear height with a value of 81.50 cm
while in those plants treated with conventional tillage + full RRIF (T2F2) with a value of 95.40 cm.
Statistical analysis revealed that the interactions of tillage operations and fertilizer rates did not
significantly influence the ear height of corn.
Tillage operations was found to give an effect towards the ear height of sweet corn. Higher
ear height was found on T2 (conventional tillage) with a value of 91.79 cm while on T1 (Zero tillage)
was the shorter ear height with a value of 86.07 cm. According to Hofmann (2015), the reason why
conventional tillage had a significant effect was due to the increased porosity of the loosen soil
allowing for good air exchange (aeration), root growth and further development resulting into more
nutrients being scouted from the soil leading into a more nourished plant.
The fertilizer rates having values from 85.52 cm to 92.25 cm did not significantly affect the
ear height of sweet corn. However, the highest height was noted on treatment with 2 tons
Vermicompost ha-1 (F3) while the shortest ear height was on ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1
(F4).

Table 3. Ear height (cm) of sweet corn as affected by tillage operations and fertilizer
applications

TREATMENTS EAR HEIGHT, †

CODE DESCRIPTION (cm)
T1F1 NT + No fertilizer 86.20
T1F2 NT + Full RRIF 85.53
-1
T1F3 NT + 2 tons Vermicompost ha 89.20
-1
T1F4 NT + ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha 81.50
-1
T1F5 NT + ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha 83.47
T1F6 NT + Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 90.50
T2F1 CT + No fertilizer 85.23
T2F2 CT + Full RRIF 95.40
T2F3 CT + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 95.30

T2F4 CT + ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 89.53

T2F5 CT + ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 94.30

T2F6 CT + Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 90.97

Factor A Means (Tillage Operations)

T1 ( No Tillage) 86.07 b
T2 ( Conventional Tillage) 91.79 a
Factor B Means (Fertilizer Rates)
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F1 (No fertilizer) 85.72

F2 (Full RRIF) 90.47
-1
F3 (2 tons Vermicompost ha ) 92.25
-1
F4 (½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha ) 85.52
-1
F5 (½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha ) 88.89
-1
F6 (Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha ) 90.74
F-test
A ( Tillage Operations) *
B (Fertilizer Rates) ns
AxB ns
CV, % Factor A (Tillage Operations) 3.16
CV, % Factor B (Fertilizer Rates) 9.10

†
Means followed by the same letter(s) are not significantly different at 5% level of significance
based on HSD

ns _ not significant at 5% level of significance

Number of Marketable Ears, ha-1

Marketable yield refers to the produce that do have an economic value because it had
passed that criteria set by specific individuals that do have the purchasing capacity. In this
experiment as presented in Table 4, the joint effects of tillage operations and fertilizer rates gave
values that ranged from 44524 to 49573 per hectare. Lowest number of marketable yield was
obtained on sweet corn plants in zero tillage + no fertilizer (T1F1) with a value of 44524 ha-1 while
those sweet corn plants with zero tillage + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 (T1F3) had a number of 49573
ha-1 and was classified to have the highest number of marketable ears. However, marketable ears
were not significantly different from one another based on statistical analysis. The same findings
was observed by Dulay (2009).
Tillage operations insignificantly affected the number of marketable ears of sweet corn.
Zero tillage (T1) with a marketable ear number of 46,053 ha-1 is lower than that of the number of
ears of conventional Tillage (T2) with a number of 46,405 ha-1. This result was in consonance with
the result of Sessiz et al. (2010) that conventional tillage would give greater yield as being verified
and reported also by Yalcin and Cakir (2006).
The fertilizer rates manifested result of the number of marketable sweet corn ears from
44,874 ha-1 to 48,073 ha-1. Statistical analysis revealed that the means of fertilizer rates are not
significantly different from one another. However, it was on treatment with No fertilizer (F1) that had
the lowest number of marketable ears with a value of 44874 ha-1 while on plots treated with 2 tons
Vermicompost ha-1 (F3) was the treatment with the highest number of marketable ears with a value
of 48073 ha-1. Lazcano and Domínguez (2011) also reported the same findings that grain content
of the marketable ear was higher in response to Vermicompost application.

Ear Diameter
The combined effects of Conventional tillage + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 (T2F3) lead into
the largest ear diameter with a value of 5.13 cm, while treatment with zero tillage + ½ RRIF + 1 ton
Vermicompost ha-1 (T1F4) had the smallest ear diameter with a value of 4.60 cm.

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Table 4. Number of marketable ear per hectare of sweet corn as affected by tillage operations
and fertilizer applications

TREATMENTS NUMBER OF
MARKETABLE EARS,
CODE DESCRIPTION ha-1
T1F1 NT + No fertilizer 44524
T1F2 NT + Full RRIF 45668
T1F3 NT + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 49573
-1
T1F4 NT + ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha 44600
T1F5 NT + ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 46164
-1
T1F6 NT + Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha 45787
T2F1 CT + No fertilizer 45225
T2F2 CT + Full RRIF 48156
T2F3 CT + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 46573

T2F4 CT + ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 46025

T2F5 CT + ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 45889

T2F6 CT + Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 46560

Factor A Means (Tillage Operations)

T1 ( No Tillage) 46053
T2 ( Conventional Tillage) 46405
Factor B Means (Fertilizer Rates)
F1 (No fertilizer) 44874
F2 (Full RRIF) 46912
-1
F3 (2 tons Vermicompost ha ) 48073
-1
F4 (½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha ) 45312
-1
F5 (½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha ) 46027
F6 (Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1) 46173
F-test
A ( Tillage Operations) ns
B (Fertilizer Rates) ns
AxB ns
CV, % Factor A (Tillage Operations) 7.19
CV, % Factor B (Fertilizer Rates) 5.15

ns _ not significant at 5% level of significance

The interactions between the tillage operations and fertilizer rates towards the ear diameter
of sweet corn were found not significantly different with one another as reflected in Table 5.
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The tillage operations marked a significant difference in terms of influence towards the ear
diameter of sweet corn. The ear diameter of plants planted in plots treated with conventional tillage
(T2) had a value of 4.95 cm which is significantly higher than that of plants in plots with zero tillage
(T1) operations given with a value of 4.71 cm. This result coincides with the result of Guan et al.
(2013) where ear diameter was affected by tillage operations and is higher under conventional
tillage operations. Moreover, the above-ground growth and yield is greatly dependent on the root
system (Jeschke et al. 1997), and root development and distribution in the soil profile determine
the capacity for nutrient uptake and water extraction by crop plants (Fageria, 2004).
Fertilizer rates gave no significant effect towards the ear diameter of sweet corn. Results
ranged from 4.68 cm to 4.98 cm. The smallest diameter was obtained from treatment with No
fertilizer (F1) while the largest was on treatment with 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 (F3), however, this
result contradicts to the findings of Simon and Balabbo (2015). They reported that inorganic
fertilizer has greater capacity in increasing the ear diameter of sweet corn than that of
Vermicompost. On the other hand, statistical analysis would declare that differences between the
subplot treatments are not significant.

Table 5. Ear diameter (cm) of sweet corn as affected by tillage operations and fertilizer
applications

TREATMENTS EAR DIAMETER, †

CODE DESCRIPTION (cm)
T1F1 NT + No fertilizer 4.63
T1F2 NT + Full RRIF 4.63
T1F3 NT + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 4.83
T1F4 NT + ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 4.60
-1
T1F5 NT + ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha 4.77
-1
T1F6 NT + Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha 4.77
T2F1 CT + No fertilizer 4.73
T2F2 CT + Full RRIF 5.00
-1
T2F3 CT + 2 tons Vermicompost ha 5.13

T2F4 CT + ½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 4.93

T2F5 CT + ½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 4.93

T2F6 CT + Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 4.97

Factor A Means (Tillage Operations)
T1 ( No Tillage) 4.71 b
T2 ( Conventional Tillage) 4.95 a
Factor B Means (Fertilizer Rates)
F1 (No fertilizer) 4.68
F2 (Full RRIF) 4.82
-1
F3 (2 tons Vermicompost ha ) 4.98
F4 (½ RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1) 4.77

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F5 (½ RRIF + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1) 4.85

F6 (Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1) 4.87
F-test
A ( Tillage Operations) *
B (Fertilizer Rates) ns
AxB ns
CV, % Factor A (Tillage Operations) 0.91
CV, % Factor B (Fertilizer Rates) 3.58

†
Means followed by the same letter(s) are not significantly different at 5% level of significance
based on HSD

ns _ not significant at 5% level of significance

Conclusion and Recommendation

Tillage operations and fertilizer applications gave no significant influence or effects towards
the agronomic parameters of sweet corn. Moreover, no significance may also be attributed to the
adverse climatic condition during the conduct of the experiment along with weekly irrigation
scheme. Thus, no rain was experienced on the duration of the experiment which may probably
affect some of the important interactions and processes.
Conventional tillage operation was found to be more advantageous and beneficial than zero
tillage. Vermicompost was not able to significantly influence the growth and yield of sweet corn.
Among the treatments, it is conventional tillage + 2 tons Vermicompost ha-1 that manifested
better results, however, it is recommended that further study be conducted to verify the result.
The experiment conducted fell under an adverse condition known as El Niňo. The
maximum temperature in the experimental area was 33oC and a minimum of 17.4oC. The relative
humidity was at 74% to 75.4% and a very minimal rainfall of 5.7 to 17.0 mm. Thus, it is
recommended that further studies may be conducted to verify the acceptable influence brought by
conventional tillage along with the application of Vermicompost as an organic fertilizer. Moreover,
to precisely and accurately see the influence of organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of sweet
corn, it is recommended to look for area that has deficient organic matter content in order to give
really an account to the effect brought by organic fertilizer. In this experiment, it may be that the
effect of Vermicompost is no longer evident, thus found insignificant due to the inherent existence
of marginal amount of organic matter.

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Acknowledgement
The author would like to express his warmest Christian thanksgiving to all who made
themselves available during and after the conduct of the study. Your help means a lot and would
be treasured by the author in his life. To God be all the glory!

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