Comparisons of Different Types of Organic Manures Integrated in Diverse Ratios with Inorganic N-Fertilizer in Terms of Maize Yield and Productivity

Abstract

In modern agriculture, the integration of organic and inorganic fertilizers has been proved as the best technique to maximize the nutrient availability to crops for longer period of time and to minimize the essential nutrients loss from rhizosphere soil. However, most of the researchers and farmers are uninformed of that which is the best fertilizer integration ratio and what type of organic manure should be used for obtaining good fertile soil and economical crop yield. In response of the above question the present research experiment was carried out in Kharif season 2018 at Cereal Crop Research Institute (CCRI), Nowshera, KPK, Pakistan to investigate the performance of maize crop in response to different types of organic manures integrated with inorganic nitrogen fertilizer in distinct ratios based on % nitrogen (N). Total 9 treatments were used in the experiment such as T1 (Control=100% N from Urea), T2 (50% N from SSB+50% N from Urea), T3 (50% N from SCB+50% N from Urea), T4 (50% N from PL+50% N from Urea), T5 (50% N from FYM+50% N from Urea), T6 (25% N from SSB+75% N from Urea), T7 (25% N from SCB+75% N from Urea), T8 (25% N from PL+75% N from Urea) and T9 (25% N from FYM+75% N from Urea). The outcomes of the experiment revealed that all the treatments have significantly affected the kernel yield, plant height, 100 kernel weight, and ear length while the number of kernel rows was non-significant. Treatments having 1:1 combination (T2, T3, T4, T5) have far better results as compared to 3:1 ratio combination (T6, T7, T8, T9) and 1:0 ratio combinations (T1). Among 1:1 treatment the overall performance of treatment T2 (50% N from Soyabean Straw Biochar (SSB)+50% N from urea) was best of all increasing the kernel yield, plant height, 100 kernel weight, ear length and kernel rows per cob up to 54.5%, 15.2%, 16%, 17.7% and 8.1% respectively more than any other treatment. Hence the integration of Soya Bean Straw Biochar with urea in 1:1 based on % N is advised for maximum yield and better growth performance of maize. Such a study on different cereal and leguminous crops under different soil and climatic conditions are recommended for vast spread application and authorization of results.