Response of corn (Zea mays L.) to various organic-based fertilizers in marginal upland of Sta. Rita, Samar

Berta  C. Ratilla,; Othello  B. Capuno,; Loreme  S. Cagande,

Response of corn (Zea mays L.) to various organic-based fertilizers in marginal upland of Sta. Rita, Samar

Berta C. Ratilla | Othello B. Capuno | Loreme S. Cagande

Abstract:

Organic farming is one of the management strategies that improve productivity of marginal uplands. The study aimed to: (1) evaluate effects of various organicbased fertilizers on the growth and yield of corn; (2) determine the appropriate combination for optimum yield; and (3) assess changes on the soil physical and chemical properties. Experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications and 7 treatments, namely; T =(0-0-0); T =1t ha Evans + , 0 1 -145-30-30kg N, P O K O ha ; T =1t ha Wellgrow + 45-30-30kg N, P O K O ha ; T = 2 5, 2 2 2 5, 2 3-1 -1 -115t ha chicken dung; T =10t ha chicken dung + 45-30-30kg N, P O K O ha ; T =15t -1 -1 -14 2 5, 2 5ha Vermicast; and T =10t ha Vermicast + 45-30-30kg N, P O K O ha . Application -1 -1 -16 2 5, 2 of organic-based fertilizers with or without inorganic fertilizers promoted growth of corn than the control. But due to high infestation of corn silk beetle ( Horns), its grain yield was greatly affected. In the second cropping, except for Evans, any of these fertilizers applied alone or combined with + 45-30- 30kg N, P O , K O ha appeared appropriate in increasing corn ear yield. Soil physical 2 5 2 -1 and chemical properties changed with addition of organic fertilizers. While bulk density decreased irrespective of treatments, pH, total N, available P and exchangeable K generally increased more with chicken dung application.

References:

Aguilera E, Lassaletta L, Cobena AS, Garnier J & Vallejo A. 2013. The potential of organic fertilizers and water management to reduce N20 emissions in Mediterranean climate cropping systems. A review. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 164:32-52
Altieri MA, Funes-Monzote FR & Petersen P. 2012. Agroecologically efficient agricultural systems for smallholder farmers: contributions to food sovereignty. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 32(1):1-13. doi:10.1007/s13593-011-0065-6
Asio VB, Demain KLB, Olguera D & Villasica L.JD. 2015. Characteristics and nutrient status of two degraded upland soils in Samar, Philippines. Annals of Tropical Research 37(1):142-166
Blanco-Canqui H and Lal R. 2008. No-tillage and soil-profile carbon sequestration: An on-farm assessment. Soil Science Society of America Journal 72:693-701
Choudhary MLD and Bailey GCA. 1994. Agriculture and agri-food Canada, Brandon Research Centre, R.R. # 3, Brandon, P.O. Box 1000 A, R7A 5Y3, Manitoba, Canada.
Dikinya O and Mufwanzala N. 2010. Chicken-manure-enhanced soil fertility and productivity: effect of application rates. Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management 1(3):46-54
Edmeades DC. 2003. The long term effects of manures and fertilizers on soil productivity and quality: A Review. Nutrient Recycling in Agroecosystem 66: 165-180. GOP (2010). Economic Survey of Pakistan (2009-2010). Ministry of Finance, Islamabad, Pakistan
FAO. 2013. Food and Agriculture Organization. Climate-Smart Agriculture Sourcebook (pp196)
Farhad W, Saleem MF, Chemnd MA & Hamnad HM. 2009. Effect of poultry manure of the productivity of spring maize (Zea mays L.). The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences 19(3):122-125
Gerpacio R, Labios J, Labios R & Diangkinay E. 2004. Maize in the Philippines: Production systems, constraints and research priorities. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Texcoco, Mexico
Jasim AH, Khudher HH & Abdullah KN. 2014. The effect of type and level of organic fertilizer and foliar of humic acid on corn (Zea mays L.) yield and yield components. In: International Conferences on Advances in Environment, Agriculture and Medical Sciences (ICAEAM’14). November 16-17, 2014. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
LAL R. 1997. Soil Quality and Sustainability. In Lal R, Blum WH, Valentin C & Stewart (eds) Methods For Assessment of Soil Degradation (pp17-31). CRC Press, Boca Raton
Landon JR. 1991. Booker Tropical Soil Manual. A hand book for soil survey and agricultural land evaluation in the tropics and subtropics (pp474). Longman Scientific and Technical John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Mercati V. 2015. Organic agriculture as a paradigm of sustainability: Italian food and its progression in the global market. Agriculture and Agricultural Science Procedia 8:798-802. Elsevier Science Direct
Pimentel D. 2005. Environmental, energetic, and economic comparisons of organic and conventional farming systems. BioScience 55(7):573-582
Reganold JP. 1995. Soil quality and profitability of biodynamic and conventional farming systems. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 10:36-45
Warren JG, Phillips SB, Mullins GL, Keahey D & Penn CJ. 2006. Environmental and production consequences of using alum-amended poultry litter as a nutrient source for com. Journal of Environmental Quality 35(1):172-182
Yang LT, Lemcoff JH & Cohen S. 2008. Fertilization regulates soil enzymatic activity and fertility dynamics in cucumber field. Scientia Horticulturae 116(1): 21-26
Zhu T, Zhuge Y, Liu S & Lou Y. 2008. Effects of different fertilizer treatments and water regimes on soil enzyme activities. Shandong Agricultural Sciences 3:74-78