SHJ 17:1

The country has endured food insufficiency brought about by several
constraints that significantly decreased production, mainly of staple crops such
as rice and corn. Adlay is a promising alternative staple crop. Several studies have
been directed to exploit the full potential of adlay, but only a few have been
conducted on its agricultural management practices related to tillage practices
and population density. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the crop
growth and yield performance, determine the appropriate management practices
and assess its profitability per hectare basis in response to different tillage
methods and population density. The experiment was laid out in nested design
with a complete block in three replications having a population density of one plant
hill^-1 (P₁), two plants hill^-1(P₂) and three plants hill^-1(P₃) as the subplot nested within
three tillage methods, mainly zero tillage (T₁), conventional tillage (T₂) and reduced
tillage (T₃). Results revealed a significant effect of conventional tillage practice
associated with early crop emergence and maturity. Three plant hill^-1 population
density stimulates early crop maturity, promotes the tallest plants and greater
herbage yield. Longer panicle length, maximum number of filled grains, high
percent fertility in effect of zero tillage practice, and one plant hill^-1 population
density are attributed to higher grain yield. Thus, zero tillage and one plant hill^-1 are
economically advantageous with the highest net return of PhP 76, 844.10 and PhP
67, 574.69 with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.78 and 1.50, respectively.

Keywords: Adlay profitability, alternative crop, population density, tillage
method