Synergistic effects of organic-inorganic nutrient integration on maize (Zea mays L.) yield and soil physicochemical properties in acidic tropical soils

To address soil fertility decline in maize cropping, the effect of vermicompost rates and NPS with urea fertilizer integration at Gobu Sayo and Wayu Tuka districts of western Oromia in Ethiopia was evaluated over two years. Different rates of vermicompost and NPS with urea were integrated: control, recommended vermicompost (۴.۶۴ tons ha⁻¹), recommended NPS with urea fertilizer alone as checks, and ۲۵:۲۵, ۲۵:۵۰, ۲۵:۷۵, ۵۰:۲۵, ۵۰:۵۰, and ۷۵:۷۵% rates were included. Grain yield, and composite soil before planting and post-harvest soil data were collected and analyzed. The yield obtained (۶,۹۲۲.۲ kg ha⁻¹) in treatment (۵۰% recommended vermicompost and ۵۰ % of NPS with urea) was significantly higher. The highest net benefit (۵۹,۶۹۹ Ethiopian birr ha⁻¹) increased net benefit by ۹.۳۲% when compared to stranded checks, with the highest marginal rate of return (۱۵۶.۱۷%) was obtained. Similarly, soil parameters such as soil pH (۱:۱.۲.۵), (۱۴.۷۹%), soil organic carbon (۱.۵۱%), soil organic matter (۱.۵۵%), total nitrogen in the soil (۱.۰۰%), and available phosphorus (۷.۶ to ۹.۱۶) at two sites were significantly different. Therefore, the results of the study showed that integration of vermicompost with inorganic fertilizers in maize crop production is recommended and can improve selected soil chemical properties.

کلیدواژه ها:

maize ، nitrogen ، NPS ، Soil fertility ، Vermicompost