Agroecological Fertilisation Practices to Improve Sustainability and Circularity in Maize Crop Systems

Abstract

Agroecological practices such as organic fertilisation offer a sustainable approach to crop systems. In this research, organic fertilisers made from a mixture of nejayote (lime water) and ovine manure were evaluated in maize. Several indexes and indicators were calculated based on field data. The results demonstrated that nejayote-manure fertilisers improve soil quality (SQI = 14.1), enhance efficiency in nutrient utilisation (increased yield, IY = 4.2 Mg ha−1), and promote greater production biomass compared to chemical fertilisation. Organic fertilisation reduced dependency on external inputs and non-renewable energy, increased sustainability in maize, and facilitated the closure of nutrient cycles by integrating livestock, crop, and agro-industrial systems.

Keywords

• <i>Zea mays</i> L.
• sustainability
• circularity
• soil quality
• waste management