Role of Integrated Nutrient Management on Nutrient Uptake, Soil Physicochemical Properties and Maize Yield Improvement: Review

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural production considers the idea that natural resources should be used to generate increased output and incomes without affecting the balance of natural resources. This can be got ahead through integrated nutrient management (INM) which embraces the use of all natural and manmade sources of plant nutrients to improve crop productivity and sustain soil productivity for future generations. Maize is a major crop that grows in a wide range of soil type that also considered as the most important cereal crops for food security in most of developing countries. It has high nutrient requirement to produce high yield with good quality. However, yield of maize is quite low in most of the region due to low soil fertility and other yield limiting factors. Currently to feed over increasing human population, agricultural intensification using high yielder or improved varieties and agrochemicals, including chemical fertilizers has an impact on ecosystem and natural environment. Intensification without proper management and the use of chemical fertilizers decreases organic matter, affect soil health and cause environmental degradation. In view of these constraints, the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers in improving maize crop productivity was reviewed. From reviewed literatures it was understood that the total dependence either on organic or inorganic fertilizers does not adequately enhance maize production in maize belt areas. Instead, application of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizer is more effective in increasing nutrient availability and sustain soil productivity than sole application of organic or inorganic fertilizer. Therefore, this reviewed report, recommend the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers to boost maize yield and replenish nutrients taken out from the soil through crop harvest and soil erosion. Keywords: Nutrient uptake, integrated nutrient management, organic fertilizer, soil health DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-17-03 Publication date :September 30 th 2019