Impact of soil amendments and fertilizers on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yield and on physical, chemical, and biological soil properties

Abstract

The impact of seven treatments; control (no lime and fertilizer), Ultragreen, Calcium carbonate powder (CaCO3), Ultragreen + NPK (15-15-15), CaCO3 + NPK, Ultragreen + Chemical and granular organic fertilizer with hormone mixed formula (HO) and CaCO3 + HO were investigated on the physicochemical and biological properties of an acidic soil, as well and maize growth and yield in a two years experiment (2017-2018) at Phitsanulok province, Thailand. The results showed that the highest average plant height (272.50 cm) was produced by Ultragreen + NPK, while leaf area at flowering and total dry matter weight (273.15 dm2 and 277.40 g, respectively) were produced by Ultragreen + HO treatment. Cob weight/plant (429.25 g), grain number/cob (584.38), grain weight/cob (268.75 g), 100 seeds weight (47.66 g) and grain yield (1681.25 kg/rai; rai = 0.16 ha) over the two years were also highest under Ultragreen + HO nourishment, followed by CaCO3 + HO. The highest grain crude protein (8.15% and 8.13%, respectively) were observed in Ultragreen + HO and Ultragreen + NPK. After the trial, soil fertility and microbial population have improved, the residual soil N increased from 0.374% to 0.845% in Ultragreen + HO compared to the control, while soil pH improved from 4.3 to a range of 5.8-6.0. Our results revealed that the combination of Ultragreen + HO and CaCO3 + HO produced the greatest output and are recommended.

Keywords

• calcium carbonate powder
• ho fertilizer
• maize yield
• soil properties
• ultragreen