Abstract
The overuse of synthetic fertilizers in agriculture has led to adverse effects on soil health, groundwater contamination, and the overall environmental sustainability of farming systems. Consequently, there is an urgent need for more innovative and environmentally friendly fertilizer approaches that can enhance agricultural productivity without compromising soil quality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of different fertilizer compositions, including conventional chemical fertilizers and nano nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium (NPK) fertilizers, on the growth, yield, and forage quality of two teosinte genotypes (G3 and G4) to identify more sustainable alternatives that could improve agricultural outcomes while minimizing environmental harm. A split-plot design field investigation with the main plots representing the teosinte genotypes and the sub-plots comprising five fertilizer formulations was conducted over two growing seasons (2021 and 2022) to investigate their effects on vegetative growth, yield attributes, and forage quality of two teosinte genotypes. The two teosinte genotypes were subjected to various fertilizer treatments (100% chemical fertilizers (CF) (F1), 75% CF + 25% nano NPK (F2), 50% CF + 50% nano NPK (F3), 25% CF + 75% nano NPK (F4), and 100% nano NPK (F5). Results indicated that G4 exhibited superior growth and nutritional composition compared to G3. Furthermore, F3 treatment resulted in enhancing shoot height, stem diameter, and dry matter accumulation. Additionally, F3 treatment improved fiber digestibility, but F1 treatment yielded the highest crude protein (CP). These findings suggest that integrating nano-fertilizers with traditional fertilizers, as exemplified by the F3 mixture, holds potential for optimizing teosinte growth and forage quality. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of the research exploration of balanced fertilizer mixtures to enhance forage yield and quality in teosinte cultivation, advocating for a strategic integration of nano NPK and bulk chemical fertilizers for sustainable agricultural practices.
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