Integrated use of plant residues, phosphorus and beneficial microbes improve hybrid maize productivity in semiarid climates

Abstract

Phosphorus unavailability and lack of organic matter in calcareous soils under semiarid climates are the major reasons for low crop productivity. A field experiment was conducted at The Agronomy Research Farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar (semiarid climate), during summer 2015. The objective of the research was to investigate the effect of plant residues, organic and inorganic phosphorus management on improving yield and yield components of hybrid maize (CS-200) with (+) and without (−) phosphate solubilizing bacteria. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement, using three replications. A combination of plant residues and phosphorus sources were used as mainplot factor, and phosphate solubilizing bacteria were used as a subplot factor. The results revealed that plant residues, phosphorus sources and phosphate solubilizing bacteria significantly affected all parameters under study except number of plants at harvest. Application of legume residues (Faba bean) increased ear length (22.9 cm), grains row−1 (46) and ear−1 (419), 1000 grains weight (365 g), grain yield (6175 kg ha−1) and shelling percentage (83) as compared to paper mulberry and garlic residues. Phosphorus application at the higher rate of 120 kg ha−1 from inorganic source (single super phosphate) was superior in terms of higher ear length (24.4 cm), number of grains row−1 (48) and ear−1 (455), 1000 grains weight (380 g), grain yield (6558 kg ha−1), harvest index (42.7%) and shelling percentage (83%) than the lower rate of phosphorus (60 kg P ha−1). Inoculation of maize seeds with beneficial microbes (phosphate solubilizing bacteria) significantly increased ear length (22.9 cm), number of grains row−1 (45) and ear−1 (413), 1000 grains weight (364 g), grain yield (6237 kg ha−1), harvest index (41.8%) and shelling percentage (82) than without seed inoculation. On the basis of our results from this study, we concluded that application of faba bean residues, 120 kg P ha−1 as single super phosphate along with seed inoculation with phosphate solubilizing bacteria could improve yield and yield components of hybrid maize under semiarid climates.