Response of Maize to the Integrated Use of Date Palm Compost and Mineral-N Fertilizer
M. Hashem *
Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, 71516, Egypt
M. M. M. Ahmed
Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute (SWERI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt
Khayria M. Abdel Gawad
Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, 71516, Egypt.
Omaima Abdel Monsef
Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute (SWERI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study aimed to assess the effect-combined use different of date palm composts amended with ligno-cellulolytic fungi and mineral-N on growth and N, P and K-uptake of maize plants in sandy calcareous soil. Each type of compost was applied either in organic form in dose equivalent to 100% of N fertilization (285 kg ha-1) or in organic form in combination with mineral-N (50% for each). The experiment was constructed in a complete randomized block design (CRBD). Results showed that plant height and dry weight of shoot and root of maize significantly increased as a result of the combined use of compost with mineral-N (1:1, w:w). All types of composts combined with half-dose of mineral-N was effective, however, compost that contained with Aspergillus niger + A. subsessilis + Trichoderma lanuginosus + Bacillus sp. was the best. This type of fertilization increased N-uptake shoot and root of maize more than mineral N-fertilizer by 39.73%-49%. In addition, the P-uptake by shoot and root of maize increased by 58.82%-156%. The addition of compost treatments to the soil increased the total N, P and K after harvesting. Regression analysis showed positive and significant linear correlation between the application rate of compost and the availability of P and K in soil.
Keywords: Maize, compost, fertilizer, sandy calcareous soil, fungi, Aspergillus