Ameliorating the response of slow-releasing nitrogen fertilizer on sustainable maize growth

Authors

  • Fatima FEROZ University of Agriculture, Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, Faisalabad 38000 (PK)
  • Husnain RIAZ University of Agriculture, Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, Faisalabad 38000 (PK)
  • Muhammad AMJID University of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, Faisalabad 38000; Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal 48800 (PK)
  • Ali AHMAD University of Agriculture, Institute of Horticulture, Faisalabad 38000 (PK)
  • Muhammad D. MAJEED Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal 48800; Soil and Water Conservation Research Institute, Chakwal 48800 (PK)
  • Attiq Ur REHMAN Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Centre for Excellence for Olive Research and Training, Chakwal 48800 (PK)
  • Javed IQBAL Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal 48800 (PK)
  • Sulaiman A. ALHARBI King Saud University, College of Science, Department of Botany and Microbiology, PO Box 2455, Riyadh 11451 (SA)
  • Mohammad J. ANSARI Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Hindu College, Department of Botany, Moradabad, Bareilly 244001 (IN)
  • Abdul QAYYUM The University of Haripur, Department of Agronomy, Haripur, 22620 (PK)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha52313645

Keywords:

ammonia emission, biopolymer, coated fertilizers, growth, nitrogen losses, pollution, yield, Zea mays

Abstract

The extensive utilization of nitrogen (N) fertilizers within maize cultivation systems has resulted in diminished nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and contributed to nitrogen pollution on a global scale. To assess the ecological repercussions of excessive fertilization, it is imperative to elucidate both the nitrogen use efficiency and the fate of nitrogenous fertilizers upon application. The current research evaluated the potential of a newly developed slow-release nitrogen fertilizer on maize growth and its behavior in soil under controlled conditions. Six different levels of urea fertilizer (UF) and slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (SRNF) were administered within the field, representing 100%, 85%, and 70% of the recommended application rates. The slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (SRNF) exhibited superior performance regarding growth, yield and nutrient retention in comparison to urea fertilizer (UF). Moreover, minimal ammonia emissions were detected with the employment of the slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (SRNF), while other urea-based fertilizers proved inefficient in mitigating ammonia emissions, despite enhancing various growth and yield parameters. The efficiency in nutrient recovery followed a distinct pattern, with polymer-coated fertilizers demonstrating superiority. The plots treated with SRNF displayed significantly higher growth and yield characteristics compared to those treated with urea fertilizer. In terms of NH3 volatilization, the urea fertilizer (UF) treatment at 100% application rate showed higher emissions (1.99 mg g-1) after a 27-day incubation period, as opposed to the slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (SRNF) treatment (1.68 mg g-1). Leaching data indicated that urea fertilizer treatments led to greater losses of NO3-N (2.01 mg L-1) compared to SRNF treatments (0.88 mg L-1).

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Published

2024-08-20

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FEROZ, F., RIAZ, H., AMJID, M., AHMAD, A., MAJEED, M. D., REHMAN, A. U., IQBAL, J., ALHARBI, S. A., ANSARI, M. J., & QAYYUM, A. (2024). Ameliorating the response of slow-releasing nitrogen fertilizer on sustainable maize growth. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 52(3), 13645. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha52313645

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Vol. 52 No. 3 (2024)

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Research Articles
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DOI: 10.15835/nbha52313645

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