Effect of different soil fertilization regimes on soil chemical properties and maize grains yield in humid tropic

Abstract

Nutrients contained in soil play a fundamental role in plants development. Then, we hypothesize that different soil fertilization regimes modify soil chemical attributes and maize grains yield. This study aimed to evaluate soil chemical attributes in different soil fertilization regimes and their relation to maize grains yield. The experiment was performed in Maranhão state, Brazil. The area was divided into 32 plots of 4x10 m with seven treatments and the control, with four replicates (R) in a randomized block design. The following treatments were performed: Gliricidia sepium – gliricidia (G), potassium (K), humic acid (HA), humic acid+potassium (HA+K), potassium+gliricidia (K+G), humic acid+gliricidia (HA+G), humic acid+potassium+gliricidia (HA+K+G) and uncovered soil (US). Each plot was cropped with maize (Zea mays L.) and the grains yield was estimated. Soil samples were collected from each plot at depths of 0–5 cm, 5–10 cm and 10–20 cm. Potential acidity, pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), exchangeable K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, available P, cation exchange capacity (CEC), sum of basic cations (SBC) and base saturation (BS) were determined. One-way ANOVA with Duncan post-test and principal component analysis (PCA) were used. Exchangeable K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, pH and CEC were related to maize grains yield in upper soil layer especially in plots with gliricidia. Then, this research confirms the hypothesis that different soil fertilization regimes modify soil chemical attributes and maize grains yield.