Bio-organic and chemical integrated amendments; responses for corn growth (Zea mays L.) and nitrate accumulation

DahPahlavan, Saadat and Farnia, Amin and Jafarzadeh Kenarsari, Mojtaba and Nakhjavan, Shahram (2023) Bio-organic and chemical integrated amendments; responses for corn growth (Zea mays L.) and nitrate accumulation. CEREAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS, 51 (4). pp. 891-903. ISSN 0133-3720 (print), 1788-9170 (online)

Text CRC_51_891.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (2MB)

Abstract

Considering the ever-growing population, increasing food production while lowering environmental pollutants and health hazards such as nitrate accumulation has been a major problem for human society. Sustainable agriculture systems as an efficient approach to addressing this issue could greatly benefit from the integration of vermicompost and mycorrhiza. This study was conducted in a split-split plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Mycorrhiza fungus (Glomus mosseae) (M) (applied and non-applied) was determined as the main plot, vermicompost fertilization (V) at three levels (0, 6, and 12 t ha−1) was considered the first subdivision, and nitrogen (N) application at three levels (0, 150, and 300 kg ha−1) was determined as second subdivision over two years (2018 and 2019). Results revealed that co-application of M × V × N increased corn height (14%), shoot dry weight (42%), and shoot diameter (14%) compared with control, whereas vermicompost application enhanced ear length, kernel number per row, and total kernel yield, by 12%, 3%, and 12%, respectively. Furthermore, total dry matter, leaf area index, and net assimilation rate indices were enhanced by integrated treatment. The highest nitrate content (154.12 mg kg−1) under N (300 kg ha−1) treatment reduced by 17% with co-application of vermicompost and mycorrhizal biofertilizer at same N concentration. Additionally, kernel nitrate level positively correlated with yield, yield components, plant, and leaf dry weight (r = 0.67*, 0.59*, respectively), suggesting that any factor that increases grain yield also affects nitrate accumulation. Overall, this study strengthens the idea that mycorrhiza application along with vermicompost and nitrogen could be proposed as the most effective integrated treatment to reduce nitrate levels.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item