Abstract
Boosting crop productivity can be attained through the application of inorganic fertilizer; however, safeguarding the environment for future generations is overbearing especially for continuous increase in the world population. Sustainable crop productivity might be attained through the judicious use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers. The substitution of parts of inorganic fertilizers with organic fertilizer could maintain and sustain soil productivity and improve crop productivity. This paper has reviewed the past research work carried out by various scientists. A comprehensive literature review revealed that integrated nutrient management enhances maize yield, nutrient uptake, and economic return compared with the sole application of organic and inorganic fertilizers.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most significant cereal crops which served as a staple food for greater than 900 million peoples in developing countries
Jjagwe et al [35] reported that maize growth parameters and yields were all significantly increased (p < 0.05) with an application of both organic and inorganic fertilizers when compared with the control. e authors further confirmed that vermicomposting was the most economically feasible manure treatment method due to low operational costs and higher returns on investment that are complemented with the production of chicken fodder and they recommended farmers to produce a fertilizer that increases maize yields with a guarantee of economic returns
Panwar [48] found that the maize equivalent yield, net return, and B : C ratio for maize-mustard cropping system was higher under 50% NPK + 50% farmyard manure than under 25% of NPK substitution through farmyard manure + 75% NPK through inorganic fertilizer
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most significant cereal crops which served as a staple food for greater than 900 million peoples in developing countries. It provided as a source of raw material for the production of food sweeteners, alcoholic beverages, protein, oil, and starch, as well as a fuel source. Ethiopia is the fifth leading producer of maize in the continent and smallholder farmers accounted for 94% of its production. Integrated application of inorganic fertilizers with different sources of organic manures in different amounts has significant benefits to enhance maize productivity, improve nutrient uptake by plants, and maintain soil nutrient status in maize-based cropping systems [5]. Erefore, this review article aims to discuss the different components of integrated nutrient management and their effect on sustainable maize crop production
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