Agro-physiological effect of Fertigroe N, P, and K in corn in different levels and timing of fertilization

The use of nanofertilizer is one of the emerging technologies that can be address the need to continuously increase productivity and profit without compromising the health of the soil and the environment. This research was conducted to determine growth and yield of corn in response to the different timing and rates of conventional fertilizer and Fertigroe N, P, and K nanofertilizer. Variety tested was Pioneer sup R hybrid corn 30B80. Fertilizer treatments were 1) control or no fertilizer, 2) 50% of the recommended rate (RR) on conventional fertilizer (CF), 3) 100% RR-CF, 4) 125% RR-CF, 5) 50% RR on nanofertilizer (NF), 6) 100% RR-NF and, 7) 125% RR-NF done in three replicates in a two-factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD). Each fertilizer rates were applied 1) once at basal, 2) two-split at basal and at 25 days after planting (DAP) and, 3) three-split at basal, 25 DAP and tasseling stage. Tasseling occurred a week earlier in conventionally fertilized than nanofertilizer-applied plants, thus, days to harvest also occurred a week earlier. With 50 to 125% RR of conventional and nanofertilizer, significantly improved agronomic characteristics were observed compared to the control. With time, total leaf weight per unit plant dry weight and total aboveground biomass were similar in two- and three-split application of the fertilized treatments but was not statistically higher than the single fertilizer application. Across treatments, mean ear weight and number of kernels were statistically similar between 125% RR-NF and 50-125% RR-CF. In general, growth and grain yield were significantly higher in corn plants applied with Fertigroe nanofertilizer than the control but were not statistically different with conventional fertilizer. Uniformly in application of nanofertilizer due to its fine, powdery nature still needs to be improved to have a precise application.