Growth and Yield of Sweetcorn (Zea mays L. var. Macho F1) as Influenced by Different Combination of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers

Abstract

Organic manures are eco-friendly alternatives to inorganic fertilizers. However, a large volume of organic inputs is needed to meet the nutritional requirements of crops. Hence, there is a need to combine them with inorganic fertilizers to attain better crop yield. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield performance of sweetcorn and on the profitability of sweetcorn production. The treatments were as follows: T0 - -1 Control (without fertilizer applied), T1 - Inorganic fertilizer at 90-60-60 kg ha -1 -1 (N, P O , K O), T - 5 t ha of vermicompost + 45-30-30 kg ha N, P O , K O, T - 5 2 5 2 2 2 5 2 3 -1 -1 -1 t ha of poultry manure + 45-30-30 kg ha N, P O , K O, T - 5 t ha of cow 2 5 2 4 -1 -1 manure + 45-30-30 kg ha N, P O , K O, T - 5 t ha of goat manure + 45-30-30 2 5 2 5 -1 -1 -1 kg ha N, P2O5 , K2O, T6 - 5 t ha of mudpress + 45-30-30 kg ha N, P2O5 , K2O, T7 - -1 Foliar spray (Fermented Golden Snail) + 45-30-30 kg ha N, P O , K O. The 2 5 2 experiment was laid out in RCBD with 3 replications. Results showed that sweetcorn plants applied with organic + inorganic fertilizers regardless of source had comparable growth and yield performance to plants applied -1 with pure inorganic fertilizers. The highest net income of PhP62,086.00 ha was obtained from plants applied with combined goat manure and inorganic fertilizers. This suggests that in sweetcorn production, it is feasible to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers by combining them with organic fertilizers