Fertilization influence on biomass yield and nutrient uptake of sweet corn in potentially hardsetting soil under no tillage

Abstract

Background Hardsetting soils are considered problem soils due to its behavior of becoming hard and unbearable to cultivate not until rewetted. Few investigations were conducted in this kind of problem soil; hence, information about biomass yield and nutrient uptake is still elusive. This study investigated the impact of potentially hardsetting soil on the biomass yield and nutrient uptake of sweet corn under no-tillage cultivation system with varying fertilization treatments. Results The application of full NPK + 1 Mg ha−1 VC increased stover and grain yield by 26–106% and 11–135%, respectively. Approximately 64% and 112% of sweet corn stover and grain yield increased when treated with full NPK. Highly significant quadratic relationship (P < 0.001) was revealed between total biomass yield and nutrient uptake of sweet corn, implying that 98–99% of the variation in total biomass could be elucidated by its nutrient uptake. Further, this indicated the suitability of nutrient uptake function that could be used as an estimate in the progression of total biomass accumulation. The application of full NPK showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency across treatments. The soil in the experimental area was a potentially hardsetting soil due to its rapid soil strength development at least 4 days from wetting. This implies that with continued use, proper soil management must be implemented like reduced tillage and organic matter application to facilitate structure formation and binding of soil particles by labile fraction in organic matter. Conclusion Application of organic amendment in combination with inorganic fertilizer could be a sustainable production strategy on sweet corn production system in potentially hardsetting soil under no tillage through enhanced nutrient uptake and biomass accumulation.

Plant Nutrition—New Methods Based on the Lessons of History: A Review

“…Variable-rate application is therefore cost-effective and high yielding, reduces environmental impacts, and increases uptake compared to uniform-rate application [ 281 ]. For instance, variable-rate application for maize plants saved 29–32% of fertiliser inputs and increased yield by 11–34% compared to the uniform rate [ 282 , 283 ]. Variable-rate treatment also saved about 40% and 38% of nitrogen fertilisers, using canopy-sized maps and yield prescription maps, respectively, and 23% of phosphate fertilisers [ 284 ].…”

“…In China, the site-specific N fertilisation approach reduced the total N rate by 33.6%, increased the yield by 0.4 t ha −1 , and improved the agronomy efficiency of N by 20% and N recovery efficiency by 16% in rice–wheat cropping systems [ 286 ]. The nutrient use efficiency of crops can be calculated using data on yield response, recovery, agronomic, internal nutrients, and physiological nutrient efficiency [ 283 ]. However, the crop yield and nutrient response vary significantly in response to climate change, variation in soil type, and landscape features in the field [ 268 ].…”

Nutrient Management Influences Root Characteristics and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in the Vegetable-Based Agroecosystem in the Northwestern Himalayas

“…The literature reveals that numerous studies have been made in the global scientistic fraternity on breeding N-efficient cultivars to optimize the N application strategies and perform precision agriculture techniques [12][13][14]. Organic manure added to the soil provides carbon (C) and other essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) to the soil, which are indispensable for crop growth and further complete their life cycle [14][15][16]. Thus, a nutrient (NPK) management scheme through efficient fertilization can play an important role in crop production and provides the gateway for increasing crop productivity [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17].…”

Economics and fertility status of organic and inorganic fertilizer-applied soil in sweet corn (Zea mays) cultivation

“…When organic amendment is added, carbon (C) and other essential nutrients like major and micro nutrients are supplied, which are highly essential for growing crops to complete its lifecycle. Organic amendments are found effective to improve the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the soil, which are important in increasing the productivity and quality of soil (Canatoy and Daquiado, 2021).…”

“…Highest nutrients level significantly enhanced the available N, P and K of soil over lower levels of nutrients (Table 1). The addition of organic amendment could gradually replenish plant-removed nutrients and improve important soil properties (Canatoy and Daquiado, 2021). With increase in the level of fertility (N, P and K) also assured the availability of these nutrients to the crop plants in adequate amount and remained in soil in substantial quantity after fulfilling the crop requirement that ultimately improved the soil fertility (Singh et al, 2010).…”