Uptake Of Maize Research Articles

Suppression of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased lead uptake in maize leaves and loss via surface runoff and interflow from polluted farmland

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous in farmland. But the knowledge on AMF impact on lead (Pb) migration in farmland is limited. A field experiment was conducted in the rainy season (May–October) for two years in a Pb-polluted farmland. Benomyl was used to specifically suppress the native AMF growth in the farmland. The effect of benomyl-induced AMF suppression on the Pb uptake in maize, and Pb loss via surface runoff and interflows (20 cm and 40 cm depth) from the farmland was investigated. The benomyl significantly inhibited the AMF growth, resulting in decreases in the colonization rate, spore number, and contents of total and easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP); and promoted the Pb migration into maize shoots and mainly enriched in leaves. The particulate Pb accounted for 83.2%–90.6% of Pb loss via surface runoff, while the proportion of particulate Pb loss via interflow was decreased and the proportion of dissolved Pb loss increased with the increase of soil depth. The AMF suppression led to a decrease in dissolved Pb concentration and loss, but an increase in particulate Pb concentration and loss, and enhanced the total Pb loss via surface runoff and interflows. Moreover, significant or very significant negative correlations were observed between the AMF colonization rate in roots with the Pb uptake in leaves, and the content of easily extractable GRSP with the particulate Pb loss. These results indicated the native AMF contributed to immobilizing Pb in soil and inhibited its migration to crops and the surrounding environment.

Short-Term Impact of Plant and Liquid derived Fulvic Acids on the Physiological Characteristics, Plant Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Maize-Wheat Production

Fulvic acids (FAs) are the major component of soil organic matter, which improves soil structure and fertility. FA has been observed positively on plant growth and ultimately enhances crop production. The pot experiment was conducted on wheat and maize grown in silty clay, sandy loam, and clay loam textural soils, respectively. Three different parent materials; FA Solid (S=Powder Form), Natural Liquid (NL) and Plant-derived Liquid (P) were applied at 0% (Control), 0.25 % (S), 0.50 % (NL) and 0.50 % (P) FA, respectively. The results showed that the stem diameter of maize was 15.68, 26.90, and 26.35 mm under S, P, and NL respectively, however, the spike weight of wheat was 123.24, 98.5, and 132.4 g pot-1 for S, P, and NL in Albic (AL), Irrigated Desert (IR) and Shahjiang (SH) soils. Similarly, maize height increased by 8 % and 9 % significantly as compared to control and the height of wheat increased by 4 % and 1 % in AL and 5 % in IR soil compared to control. Maize grain weight increased over control; however, wheat grain weight significantly decreased. The N and P significantly enhanced in maize and wheat in AL, IR, and SH soils. Our study proved that the application of Solid FA did not improve maize growth characteristics, however, it improved the characteristics of wheat crops except under IR soils. In contrast, liquid FA improved the chemical and physical properties of soils including nutrient uptake of maize and wheat under AL and SH soils.

Maize–legume intercropping promote N uptake through changing the root spatial distribution, legume nodulation capacity, and soil N availability

Legume cultivars affect N uptake, component crop growth, and soil physical and chemical characteristics in maize–legume intercropping systems. However, how belowground interactions mediate root growth, N fixation, and nodulation of different legumes to affect N uptake is still unclear. Hence, a two-year experiment was conducted with five planting patterns, i.e., maize–soybean strip intercropping (IMS), maize–peanut strip intercropping (IMP), and corresponding monocultures (monoculture maize (MM), monoculture soybean (MS), and monoculture peanut (MP)), and two N application rates, i.e., no N fertilizer (N–) and conventional N fertilizer (N+), to examine relationships between N uptake and root distribution of crops, legume nodulation and soil N availability. Results showed that the averaged N uptake per unit area of intercrops was significantly lower than the corresponding monocultures. Compared with the monoculture system, the N uptake of the intercropping systems increased by 31.7–45.4% in IMS and by 7.4–12.2% in IMP, respectively. The N uptake per plant of intercropped maize and soybean significantly increased by 61.6 and 31.8%, and that of intercropped peanuts significantly decreased by 46.6% compared with the corresponding monocultures. Maize and soybean showed asymmetrical distribution of roots in strip intercropping systems. The root length density (RLD) and root surface area density (RSAD) of intercropped maize and soybean were significantly greater than that of the corresponding monocultures. The roots of intercropped peanuts were confined, which resulted in decreased RLD and RSAD compared with the monoculture. The nodule number and nodule fresh weight of soybean were significantly greater in IMS than in MS, and those of peanut were significantly lower in IMP than in MP. The soil protease, urease, and nitrate reductase activities of maize and soybean were significantly greater in IMS and IMP than in the corresponding monoculture, while the enzyme activities of peanut were significantly lower in IMP than in MP. The soil available N of maize and soybean was significantly greater increased in IMS and IMP than in the corresponding monocultures, while that of IMP was significantly lower than in MP. In summary, the IMS system was more beneficial to N uptake than the IMP system. The intercropping of maize and legumes can promote the N uptake of maize, thus reducing the need for N application and improving agricultural sustainability.

Isolation and Characterization of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria and Effect of Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Maize Under Pot and Field Conditions

ABSTRACT Phosphorus deficiency is one of the main factors for limiting agricultural production. The use of Phosphate Soluble Bacteria (PSB) is an environmentally friendly solution to eliminate phosphorus deficiency. Isolation of PSB and determination of plant growth effects of maize were aimed at this study. For this purpose, 62 phosphate solubilizing rhizobacterial strains isolated from soil and the phosphate solubilization abilities of isolates were determined by laboratory, pot, and field trials. After laboratory trials with 62 strains, pot tests were established with 10 isolates. Inoculation of phosphorus PSB was increased plant height19.38–54.25% and plant dry weight12.32–67.63% under pot experiments. Field trials were conducted between 2014 and 2016 with two PSB (S. marcensens and P. brenneri) according to pot experiments. S. marcensens and P. brenneri increased yield of maize32–33% in 2014 and28–25% in 2015, respectively. Application of P. brenneri increased leaf P, K, and Mg content by 13%, 5%, 9%, and S. marcensens increased the same by 10%, 6%, 17%, respectively. P. brenneri and S. marcensens can be used as biological fertilizers as a promising and sustainable approach to maize productivity in P deficient soils.

Kadmiyum Bulaştırılmış Yetiştirme Ortamda Mısır Fidesinin (Zea mays L.) Gelişimine, Kadmiyum İçeriğine ve Alımına Mikoriza ve Salisilik Asit Uygulamalarının Etkisi

Cadmium (Cd) pollution is an important problem today. In this study, the effects of mycorrhiza (M) and salicylic acid (SA) applications on plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, number of leaves, and Cd content and uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings grown in Cd treated environments were determined. For this purpose, 3 kg pots with and without mycorrhizae were used with two doses of salicylic acid (SA1: 1.0 mM and SA2: 2.0 mM). The study was carried out in three replications. As a result of the measurements, mycorrhiza and Salicylic acid applications significantly increased plant height, fresh and dry weight of corn seedlings. On the other hand, mycorrhiza and Salicylic acid applications decreased Cd content and uptake. The lowest plant height was 26.63 cm, the number of leaves was 5.6, the fresh weight was 3.74 g and the dry weight was 1.63 g in the control group, which was not treated with mycorrhiza and SA. The highest plant height was 56.17 cm, the number of leaves was 7.50, and the fresh weight was 21.46 g, with 2.0 mM SA application without mycorrhiza treatment. The highest dry weight was determined with 5.70 g in mycorrhiza and 2.0 mM SA application. While the highest Cd content of corn seedlings was 3.37 mg kg-1 and its uptake was 5.95 mg kg-1 in the control application, the lowest Cd content was 0.307 mg kg-1 and uptake were 1.48 mg kg-1 with mycorrhiza with 2.0 mM SA and 1.0 mM SA. detected in applications. When the results of our study were examined, mycorrhiza and SA applications had positive effects on corn seedlings grown in Cd-contaminated environments. The combined application of salicylic acid and mycorrhiza will contribute significantly to yield and nutrient content in agricultural production against heavy metal pollution.

English

This study was to explore the beneficial interactive effects of fungal inoculum alone or in conjunction with phosphatic fertilizer on maize (Zea mays L.). We conducted a greenhouse pot experiment in soil which included four treatments such as control, Penecillium oxalicum, Aspergiilus niger, P. oxalicum + A. niger at three different levels of phosphatic fertilizers (0, 100, and 200 mg kg-1). The plant height, fresh weight of root/shoot biomass and dry weight of root/shoot biomass and soil chemical properties were recorded. We evaluated the growth parameters of maize and phosphorus (P) uptake in maize were highest in treatment I3 × F2 (Penecillium+Aspergillus + 200 mg P kg-1) followed by I2 × F2 (Aspergillus + 200 mg P kg-1) over rest of the treatments. The beneficial effect was decreased where alone fertilizer dose was added as compared to those where it was added with the co-inoculation of phosphorus solubilizing fungi (PSF). It was observed that soil pH, total organic carbon and available P significantly changed because of various treatments. Based on these evidences, it could be inferred that increasing the maize growth by fungal culture improves soil P fertility, which is favorable to succeeding crops. Further research is needed to understand the chemistry of co-inoculation of fungal inoculum with phosphatic fertilizer. © 2022 Friends Science Publishers

Improvement of Soil Nutrient and Yield of Maize Through the Application of Different Rates of Sawdust - Piggery Compost Fortified With Urea

Fortification of compost with inorganic fertilizer is necessary to compliment for some deficient nutrient in organic manure to improve soil fertility and crop yield. This experiment was carried out at Ambrose Alli University Teaching and Research Farm, Ekpoma, Nigeria and it was fitted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments replicated thrice. The treatments were; Control, 2 tonnes of saw dust piggery compost + 75Kg/ha of urea, 4 tonnes of sawdust piggery compost + 75kg of urea, 6 tonnes of sawdust piggery compost + 75kg of urea (75kg Urea +6 SPC), 8 and 10 tonnes of compost, 150kg/ha of urea. Data collected were analysed using ANOVA and LSD was used to separate means. It was observed from the initial soil test that the soil nutrients status was below critical levels and this necessitate the application of the fertilizer to improve the fertility status of the soil. The application of 75kg Urea + 6 SPC significantly (p≤0.05) increased the soil nutrient status compared to other treatments. The growth, cobs weight, dry matter and grain yield of maize were significantly (p≤0.05) higher with application of 75kg Urea +6 SPC compared to other treatments. Also, the nutrient uptake of maize was significantly (p≤0.05) higher with application of 75kg Urea + 6 SPC. In conclusion, the application of 75kg Urea +6 SPC significantly (p≤0.05) increased the soil nutrient status, growth and the yield of maize.

Phosphorus fertilization regimes and rates alter Cd extractability in rhizospheric soils and uptake in maize (Zea mays L.)

Understanding cadmium (Cd) extractability and transfer in soil-plant system is crucial for the evaluation of the remediation effect of Cd-contaminated soils. However, knowledge on the effects of different phosphorus (P) fertilizers on Cd uptake in plants, root morphology, and Cd extractability in rhizosphere soils remains very limited. In this study, a five-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the impacts of four P fertilizers (i.e. calcium superphosphate, calcium magnesium phosphate, monopotassium phosphate, and compound fertilizer) on Cd uptake in maize (Zea mays L.), root morphology, and Cd extractability in rhizospheric acidic soils contaminated with Cd. The results showed that compared to the control, the contents of rhizospheric DTPA-Cd were respectively 18–40% and 8–29% lowered by the calcium magnesium phosphate and monopotassium phosphate, but 21–59% and 10–36% elevated by the calcium superphosphate and compound fertilizer. Similar effects of P fertilizers were observed on exchangeable Cd. Furthermore, the altered levels of the DTPA-Cd and exchangeable Cd in the rhizospheric soils were greater than those in the non-rhizospheric soils. Moreover, different P fertilization regimes altered the contents of Cd in maize tissues (roots, stems, leaves, and grains), and the alterations were closely related to the variation of DTPA-Cd and exchangeable Cd in the rhizospheric soils. Meanwhile, different P fertilization regimes enhanced root morphological parameters (root length, surface area, and volume), and the activities of urease and surcase. In general, the lowest concentrations of soil DTPA-Cd and Cd in maize tissues were found in the treatments with calcium magnesium phosphate. This study has demonstrated that the calcium magnesium phosphate can be used as a potential amendment agent for the acidic Cd-contaminated soils cultivated with maize.

Label-free quantitative proteomics of maize roots from different root zones provides insight into proteins associated with enhance water uptake

BackgroundMaize is one of the most important food crops worldwide. Roots play important role in maize productivity through water and nutrient uptake from the soil. Improving maize root traits for efficient water uptake will help to optimize irrigation and contribute to sustainable maize production. Therefore, we investigated the protein profiles of maize cv. Anyu308 root system divided into Upper root zone (UR), Middle root (MR), and Lower root (LR), by label free quantitative shotgun proteomic approach (LFQ). The aim of our study was to identify proteins and mechanisms associated with enhanced water uptake in different maize root zones under automatic irrigation system.ResultsAt field capacity, MR had the highest water uptake than the UR and LR. We identified a total of 489 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) by pairwise comparison of MR, LR, and UR. Cluster analysis of DAPs revealed MR and UR had similar protein abundance patterns different from LR. More proteins were differentially abundant in MR/UR compared to LR/MR and LR/UR. Comparisons of protein profiles indicate that the DAPs in MR increased in abundance, compared to UR and LR which had more downregulated DAPs. The abundance patterns, functional category, and pathway enrichment analyses highlight chromatin structure and dynamics, ribosomal structures, polysaccharide metabolism, energy metabolism and transport, induction of water channels, inorganic ion transport, intracellular trafficking, and vesicular transport, and posttranslational modification as primary biological processes related to enhanced root water uptake in maize. Specifically, the abundance of histones, ribosomal proteins, and aquaporins, including mitochondrion electron transport proteins and the TCA cycle, underpinned MR’s enhanced water uptake. Furthermore, proteins involved in folding and vascular transport supported the radial transport of solute across cell membranes in UR and MR. Parallel reaction monitoring analysis was used to confirmed profile of the DAPs obtained by LFQ-based proteomics.ConclusionThe list of differentially abundant proteins identified in MR are interesting candidates for further elucidation of their role in enhanced water uptake in maize root. Overall, the current results provided an insight into the mechanisms of maize root water uptake.

Effect of mineralized nitrogen through decomposition of plant residues on the uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) in sudan savannah ecological zone of Nigeria

A field experiment was designed to determine the effect of mineralized nitrogen (N) through the decomposition of leafy biomass of agroforestry tree species as residues to underscore its uptake by maize under Sudan savannah conditions. The experiment was laid out as 3 x 4 x 2 factorial in a split-split plot design with three replicates for two cropping seasons. The factors considered include: control, biomass species (Albizia lebbeck and Parkia biglobosa) as main plots, four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 40, 80, 120 kg N ha-1) as sub-plots, and two maize varieties (DMR-ESR-7 and 2009 EVAT) as sub-sub plots. Data were analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Chemical composition of A. lebbeck biomass had higher average contents of N (32.4 g kg-1) and C (186.4 g kg-1) and lower average C: N ratio (57.5) than P. biglobosa and this affected their decomposition rates, hence, A. lebbeck decomposed faster than P. biglobosa. 56 % of N in the litter bags were released within the first 2 weeks of biomass incorporation and progressively increased up to 10 weeks after planting (WAP). Total N uptake by maize was lowest (2.8 kg N ha-1) in P. biglobosa and was highest (8.6 kg N ha-1) in A. lebbeck amended plots. It is then concluded that total N uptake by maize crop increased rapidly between 4-6 WAP, and the impact was obvious in plots amended with A. lebbeck biomass than in P. biglobosa plots during the two cropping seasons.

Phytoremediation Capability and Copper Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Copper Contaminated Soils

Copper is a frequently used heavy metal worldwide and known to be an essential micronutrient for most living organisms including plants. However, excessive levels of copper in soil may adversely affect plant growth and survival. The continuing introduction of copper to soil, e.g., through excessive utilization of agrochemicals has raised serious environmental concerns throughout the world. A variety of plants have the capability to eliminate pollutants from soil through different mechanisms; however, limited information is reported on phytoremediation potential of maize (Zea mays L.) and its uptake and the accumulation potential in copper-containing soils. The effects of additions of 0, 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg kg−1 of copper to soil on growth parameters of Z. mays, copper uptake from soil and accumulation in roots and shoots, and phytoremediation potential of Z. mays were investigated in this research. Copper content in soil and plant samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The addition of 50 mg kg−1 Cu stimulated Z. mays growth parameters, while higher content of Cu exhibited inhibitory effects of plant growth. Results indicated that roots accumulated significantly higher levels of Cu than shoots in all treatments, suggesting dominancy of phytostabilization mechanism in remediation of Cu-polluted soil by Z. mays. However, translocation of Cu from the roots to the aerial parts enhanced to some extent with copper level in soil. The greatest Cu accumulation capacity of 5210 µg per pot was gained in Z. mays cultivated in soil treated with 200 mg kg−1 copper. Results demonstrated that Z. mays can promisingly remediate low to moderately copper-contaminated soils.

Chemical evaluation of partially acidulated phosphate rocks and their impact on dry matter yield and phosphorus uptake of maize

Previous studies investigated the direct application of phosphate rock and its partially acidulated to enhance its solubility compared to soluble fertilizers. However, the interaction between the effect of particles diameter and partial acidulation of phosphate rock on phosphorus (P) availability and its effect on dry matter yield and P uptake is still elusive. This study was conducted to assess the effect of partially acidulated Egyptian phosphate rocks with different particle size diameters on P availability and its effect on dry matter yield and P uptake of maize (Zea mays L.). A pot experiment was conducted on maize plants grown on light clay soil for 42 days. Acidulation was done by mixing phosphate rock with single superphosphate or triple superphosphate at a total rate of 200 mg P kg−1 with five acidulation mix ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100). Different particle size diameters of phosphate rocks (500, 212, 75, and <45 µm included nano-particles ranged from 69.3 to 25.7 nm) were used. We found that dry matter yield and P uptake increased significantly due to the use of partially acidulated phosphate rocks especially when triple superphosphate was used for acidulation and the mixing ratio of 50:50 was the best. We also found that maize yield and P uptake increased significantly with decreasing particle size. It is recommended to use finely grounded partially acidulated phosphate rocks with particles diameter less than 45 µm at acidulation ratio 50% and no need to increase acidulation ratio above that as a slow-release phosphate fertilizer.

Co-inoculation with tropical strains of Azospirillum and Bacillus is more efficient than single inoculation for improving plant growth and nutrient uptake in maize.

Usage of Bacillus and Azospirillum as new eco-friendly microbial consortium inoculants is a promising strategy to increase plant growth and crop yield by improving nutrient availability in agricultural sustainable systems. In this study, we designed a multispecies inoculum containing B. thuringiensis (strain B116), B. subtillis (strain B2084) and Azospirillum sp. (strains A1626 and A2142) to investigate their individual or co-inoculated ability to solubilize and mineralize phosphate, produce indole acetic acid (IAA) and their effect on maize growth promotion in hydroponics and in a non-sterile soil. All strains showed significant IAA production, P mineralization (sodium phytate) and Ca-P, Fe-P (tricalcium phosphate and iron phosphate, respectively) solubilization. In hydroponics, co-inoculation with A1626 x A2142, B2084 x A2142, B2084 x A1626 resulted in higher root total length, total surface area, and surface area of roots with diameter between 0 and 1mm than other treatments with single inoculant, except B2084. In a greenhouse experiment, maize inoculated with the two Azospirillum strains exhibited enhanced shoot dry weight, shoot P and K content, root dry weight, root N and K content and acid and alkaline phosphatase activities than the other treatments. There was a significant correlation between soil P and P shoot, alkaline phosphatase and P shoot and between acid phosphatase and root dry weight. It may be concluded that co-inoculations are most effective than single inoculants strains, mainly between two selected Azospirillum strains. Thus, they could have synergistic interactions during maize growth, and be useful in the formulation of new inoculants to improve the tropical cropping systems sustainability.

Influence of zinc fertilization levels and frequencies on crop productivity, zinc uptake and buildup of soil zinc in maize–wheat system

The zinc (Zn) requirement under intensive cropping system is higher due to continuous mining and the zinc fertilizers applied to the soil being adsorbed on soil colloids. Hence, detailed information of Zn is essential to understand the bioavailability processes. The present study was undertaken on an ongoing experiment initiated in 2012 at research farm of Department of Soil Science, Ludhiana with Zn levels i.e., 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 kg Zn ha−1 and three frequencies (once in six-year, alternate year, and every year) along with a control treatment. The maize and wheat yield were highest with the application of 10 kg Zn ha−1 every year which was at par with 7.5 kg Zn ha−1 every year and alternate year. The Zn uptake in maize and wheat was highest with 10 kg Zn ha−1 every year, which was statistically at par with 7.5 kg Zn ha−1 every year and 10 kg Zn ha−1 alternate years. The values of different fractions of zinc were higher with the application of 10 kg Zn ha−1 every year which was at par with 7.5 kg Zn ha−1 of every year and 10 kg Zn ha−1of alternate year. The different fractions of Zn i.e., residual zinc, crystalline FeO bound zinc, amorphous FeO bound zinc, organically bound zinc, manganese oxide bound zinc, carbonate bound zinc, specifically adsorbed zinc and water soluble + exchangeable zinc contribute 56.7, 16.0, 7.5, 5.1, 5.0, 4.8, 2.3, 2.2% to total Zn in soil. In overall it is concluded that the application of 10.0 kg Zn ha−1 in alternate year was found better for obtaining high crop yield and Zn uptake and for maintaining optimum available Zn in maize–wheat cropping system.

Effects of Auxin at Different Concentrations on the Growth, Root Morphology and Cadmium Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Indoleacetic acid (IAA) is an important regulator that plays a crucial role in plant growth and responses to abiotic stresses. In the present study, a sand cultivation experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of IAA at different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2.5 mmol/L) on maize growth, root morphology, mineral elements (Ca, Mg) and Cd uptake under 20 mg/kg Cd stress. The results showed that 0.01 mmol/L is the optimal IAA concentration for enhancing the Cd tolerance of maize. Compared with the control treatment, 0.01 mmol/L IAA promoted maize growth, with significant increases in the height, shoot and root biomass by 34.6%, 25.0% and 16.3%; altered the root morphology, with increases in root length, root tip number, and root tip density by 8.9%, 31.4% and 20.7%, respectively; and enhanced the mineral element uptake of maize, resulting in signifi- cant increases in the Ca content in shoots and roots by 640.6% and 1036.4% and in the Mg content in shoots by 205.8%, respectively. In addition, 0.01 mmol/L IAA decreased the Cd content and uptake in the shoots by 51.9% and 39.6%, respectively. Furthermore, the Cd content and uptake exhibited a significant negative correlation with Ca content in roots and a significantly positive correlation with root morphology, and the Cd content in shoots was significantly and negatively correlated with root tip number. Thus, 0.01 mmol/L IAA was effective in enhancing the Cd tolerance and plant growth of maize.

EVALUATION OF UREA, NPK AND ORGANOMINERAL FERTILIZERS ON THE GROWTH, NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND YIELD OF MAIZE IN NUTRIENT DEPLETED SOIL

A two-year (2018 and 2019) experiment was carried out at two locations of the Ambrose Alli University Teaching and Research Farm, Ekpoma to evaluate the effect of organic base granular and prilled urea fertilizers on the growth, nutrient uptake and yield of maize. These experiments were fitted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments (granular, prilled urea, P&amp;K + 75% granular urea, P&amp;K + 75% N prilled urea (NPK), P&amp;K + 75% N granular urea + 25% N through farmyard manure (FYM), P&amp;K + 75% N prilled urea + 25% N FYM and the control) replicated thrice. The soil and organic manure were analyzed; the soil nutrient status was below critical values; therefore, the application of fertilizer was necessary. The application of fertilizers either sole or combination improved the soil nutrient, growth and yield of maize significantly compared to the control. The application of P&amp;K + 75% N granular urea + 25% N through FYM and P&amp;K + 75% N prilled urea+25% N through FYM significantly (P≤0.05) increased the growth, grain yield and nutrient uptake of maize compared to other treatments. The application of P&amp;K + 75% N granular urea + 25% N through FYM increased the growth and yield of maize than the application of P&amp;K + 75% N prilled urea+25% N through FYM. Therefore, the application of P&amp;K + 75% N granular urea + 25% N through FYM can be recommended to farmers.

Effect of Micro-Nutrients in Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Maize (Zea Mays L.)

The pot experiment was conducted in Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry . Annamalai university to evaluate the response of maize ( Zea mays L.) with conventional ,non – conventional organic source , industrial by-products combined with inorganic fertilizers. The treatments imposed were T_1-Control ( 100 % RDF ) , T_2- 100 % RDF + Municipal Solid Waste Compost @ 5 〖t ha〗^(-1) , T_3- 100 % RDF + Municipal Solid Waste Compost @ 〖10 t ha〗^(-1), T_4 – 100 % RDF + Vermicompost @ 2.5 〖t ha〗^(-1), T_5 – 100 % RDF + Vermicompost @ 5 〖t ha〗^(-1) , T_6-100 % RDF + Bagasse Ash @ 5 〖t ha〗^(-1) , T_7- 100 % RDF + Bagasse Ash @ 10 〖t ha〗^(-1) ,T_8- 100 % RDF + Lignite Flyash @ 5 〖t ha〗^(-1) ,T_9- 100 % RDF + Lignite Flyash @ 10 〖t ha〗^(-1).There were nine treatments combinations replicated thrice in CRD.The uptake of grain in Fe (5.495〖 mg pot〗^(-1)) ,Mn (0.592 〖mg pot〗^(-1)), Zn (0.746 m〖g pot〗^(-1)) and the uptake of grain in Cu (0.118 〖mg pot〗^(-1) ) recorded higher in the treatment ( T_3 ) which received 100 % RDF with Municipal Solid Waste Compost @ 10 tha^(-1).Stover uptake in Fe (44.0〖 mg pot〗^(-1)), Mn (3.25 〖mg pot〗^(-1)) , Zn (0.85 〖mg pot〗^(-1)) and Cu (0.72 〖mg pot〗^(-1)) was recorded highest due to application of 100 % RDF with Vermicompost @ 5 〖t ha〗^(-1) ( T_(5 )).

Phosphorus biofortification and uptake in maize enhanced with integrated phosphorus management

A limited phosphorus (P) supply restricts crop growth, productivity and seed setting in various crops. Adequate P enhances early maturity and crop quality with a big yield. A consequential two-year (2016–2017 and 2017–2018) field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of peach residues, compost and biochar, three P levels (50, 75 and 100 kg ha−1) and two beneficial microbes (PSB and Trichoderma) on P biofortification in maize and P fertilizer use efficiency (FUE). Experiential findings revealed that among the organic sources, peach biochar was the most promising source for the highest P uptake and bio-fortification. Among the beneficial microbes, soil application of Trichoderma showed extremity for higher grain P content, grain P uptake (GPU) and fertilizer use efficiency (FUE), while seed inoculation with PSB produced higher leaf P content, stalk P content, stover P content, stalk P uptake (SPU) and total P uptake (TPU) respectively. Inorganic P fertilization under 100 kg ha−1 enhanced grain P content, leaf P content, stalk P content, stover P contents, GPU, SPU and TPU, although the highest FUE was recorded under the lowest P rate (50 kg ha−1). Conclusively, it could be recommended that to get maize higher yield and enhance P uptake and bio-fortification, soil application of Trichoderma with peach biochar and 100 kg P ha−1 should be treated under P deficient soil.

Reclaiming Eroded Soil Using Sawdust – Poultry Compost for Agricultural production

The removal of top soil withhigh organic matter content is a critical threatto soil functions in most tropical agricultural lands and compost can be utilized in build up of organic carbon stocks and the soil nutrient. A two-year experiment wasconducted to evaluate the effect of different rates of compost application on soil properties, yield and nutrient uptake of maize in an eroded soil. The treatments: control, 5, 10, 15 and 20tonnes per hectares (t ha-1)were laid out inCompletelyRandomizedDesign (CRD) and replicated thriceanddata collected were statistically analysed.The soil was acidic and sandyin texture, the application of compost reduced the acidity and significantly (p &lt;0.05) increased organicmatter and nutrient contentof the soil. Maize grain yield of 3.08and 2.56 t ha-1were obtained in 2015 and in residualexperiment of 2016 respectively with the application of 20 t ha-1of compost. In conclusion, the application of 20t ha-1of sawdust –poultry compost significantly (p &lt;0.05) improvedtheorganic matter and nutrients status of the soil. Also, the yield and nutrient uptake of maize were significantly (p &lt;0.05) higherwith the application of 20 t ha-1of compost

Coupling effects of irrigation amount and nitrogen fertilizer type on grain yield, water productivity and nitrogen use efficiency of drip-irrigated maize

Agricultural production is facing the risk of severe water shortage, serious non-point source pollution and low water productivity (WP) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). It is a major challenge to achieve environmentally friendly production of maize with high WP and NUE. A two-year field experiment with three irrigation levels of W1 (60% ETc, ETc is the crop evapotranspiration), W2 (80% ETc) and W3 (100% ETc), and three nitrogen (N) fertilizer types of urea (U), slow-release N fertilizer (SRF) and urea blended with slow-release N fertilizer (UNS) was conducted in 2019 and 2020, so as to quantify their impacts on the maize dry matter, N uptake and remobilization, grain yield, WP, NUE and residual soil NO3−-N. The results showed that W2 and W3 significantly increased total dry matter (8.0% and 14.7%), grain yield (19.4% and 33.0%), and NUE (1.5% and 2.2%) compared with W1. Total N uptake of maize declined by 23.2% and 9.6% under W1 and W2, leading to 11.9% and 5.8% increased of soil NO3−-N, respectively. Compared with U, UNS increased post-silking N uptake by 19.1%, thereby enhancing grain yield by 18.3%. Compared with SRF, UNS increased N remobilization from vegetative organs to grains by 15.0%, thereby resulting in 2.3% increase in grain yield. Under the same irrigation amount, UNS and SRF improved WP and NUE compared with U. W3SRF obtained the highest grain yield, with increases in grain yield by 2.4–58.8% compared with other treatments, while there was no significant difference between W3SRF and W3UNS. More importantly, UNS significantly increased grain yield and alleviated the impact of water stress on maize production under W1 and W2. In conclusion, UNS could stabilize grain yield under water-stressed conditions, while SRF could increase grain yield under full irrigation.