Effects of Liquid Fertilizer of Application from Rendered Livestock Carcass Residues on Maize Cultivation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Liquid fertilizers can provide nutrients to crops effectively and quickly. Amino acid liquid fertilizers produced by decomposing the residues of rendered livestock carcasses are expected to be effective in improving the productivity and quality of crops. METHODS AND RESULTS: The treatment conditions for maize cultivation were control (Cn), inorganic fertilizer (IF), inorganic fertilizer and rendering residue liquid fertilizer (IF+RALF), compost (CP), compost and rendering residue liquid fertilizer (CP+RALF). Crop productivity, sugar content, and nutrient uptake were inves-tigated after maize harvest in the field applied with liquid fertilizers. Maize yields ranged from 87.6-158 g/plant, and the yield increased by 7.9% and 12.9% in IF+RALF and CP+RALF than in IF and CP, respectively. The maize sugar content increased in the range of 0.1-0.5 brix % by rendering residue liquid fertilizer (RALF) fertilization, and the sugar content was the highest in CP+RALF. There was no significant change in soil chemical properties of the soil due to liquid fertilizer treatment. CONCLUSION(S): RALF increased yield and sugar content in maize cultivation, and fertilization with organic fertilizers was more effective for maize cultivation than inorganic fertilizers. Residues of rendered livestock carcass can be recycled as amino acid fertilizers, which can