Response of Maize to the Integrated Use of Date Palm Compost and Mineral-N Fertilizer

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.