Balanced Fertilizer Use through Soil Testing Leads to Higher Yields and Nutrient Contents of Maize Grains

Abstract

Fertilizers use can be optimized through soil testing and leaf analysis. This paper deals with using soil analysis as a base for fertilizer use in maize. A field experiment was carried out in two summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 with maize (triple hybrid) in Oraby Village, Mariut sector, Alexandria, Egypt. Soil testing shows that soil was clay loam, with high Na and CaCO3 contents with high pH, low organic matter, medium P and K and low micronutrient contents (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu), seven treatments were designed. The most promising treatment was when P and K were increased and micronutrients were added based on soil testing. This treatment resulted in the highest yield with better grain contents of protein and nutrients which indicated that soil-test based on fertilizer use was superior. Soil analysis at the end of the experiment showed higher P and K contents. This approach could be adopted for regions with similar soil conditions in other parts of the world.