Utilization of corn cobs as source for potassium fertilization and nutrition for white corn production
2013
Ocampo, A.M. | Santos, P.J.A. | Lapoot, C.R. | Tumamang, S.C.
The corn industry contributes significantly to Philippine economic development where corn is the second most important cereal crop. White corn is being promoted as an alternative staple to rice to supplement the country's food gap. An aspect that could increase white corn productivity is the effective use of nutrients from agriculture waste such as corn cobs and naturally occurring indigenous fertilizer sources. Corn cobs are part of the maize ears that are not utilized for food but rather for cooking fuel or just burned in the field. At present, mineral nutrient, especially potassium content of corn cobs has not been analyzed. Knowledge of the potassium content and the incorporation of corn cobs in the soil as organic fertilizer source (substitute for inorganic source), will mean substantial savings for the corn farmer. The project objectives are to compare the cobs from different corn cultivars and their contribution to soil fertility and corn yield in terms of available potassium and other nutrients, to evaluate the effectiveness of corn cobs and ashes when used as K-source, and determine the time required for the potassium to be available for plant uptake in the field. Furthermore, the project also aims to determine the economics of using corn cobs or ashes as substitute source for potassium fertilization of white corn. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted in UPLB, Isabela, and Bukidnon. Preliminary results show that corn cobs are promising materials as potassium source for fertilization of white corn. Ten to fifteen tons cobs per hectare for open pollinated variety, and 20 tons per hectare for hybrids are recommended to provide sufficient K fertilization and rapid growth. Ashed corn cobs gave the highest growth and biomass production compared to whole, shredded or finely chopped ground cobs.
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