Growth performance of spring maize and soil fertility status as influenced by nutrient sources
2016
Habib, M.D. (Directorate of Land Reclamation, Irrigation and Power Dept., Punjab (Pakistan)) | Asif, M. (University of Sargodha (Pakistan). Univ. Coll. of Agriculture) | Aziz, M. (University of Sargodha (Pakistan). Univ. Coll. of Agriculture) | Ali, A. | Ashraf, M. | Mahmood, A. | Javaid, M.M.
Soil, being an integral component of agriculture, serves as a medium for plant growth and development as well as for the occurrence of processes which are vital for the existence of life. Combining the manures with synthetic fertilizers may help to combat the deficiency of essential nutrients and restore the soil fertility. Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield responses of maize and soil fertility changes using different combination of organic and inorganic nutrient sources. The plants were pre-eminence in yield and yield contributing parameters with inorganic fertilizers as well as combination of organic and inorganic nutrient sources over control. Maximum leaf area, leaf area duration, crop growth rate and net assimilation rate were observed with treatment where combination of inorganic fertilizers and poultry manure were applied. Other organic sources including sewage sludge, farm yard manure, press mud, kitchen waste also produced significant effects but relatively low compared to poultry manure and synthetic fertilizer combinations. All nutrient sources affected soil N, P and K contents variably depending upon their composition. The present study concluded that combined application organic and synthetic nutrient sources, particularly poultry manure @ 2.5 t per ha in combination of mineral fertilizer 200-150-125 NPK per ha not only improved maize growth and yield but also the fertility status of soil.
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