Improvement of Macro and Micro Nutrients Accumulation in Maize (Zea mays L.) Grain by Application of Chemical and Biological Fertilizers

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

In order to investigate  the effect of different levels of bio and chemical fertilizers on yield and macro and micro nutrient elements absorption in maize (Zea mays L.) grain, a field experiment was carried out at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh in 2013 growing season.  Experiment was arranged as  factorial based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The first factor (A) included 3 levels of chemical fertilizer including a1: control, without any fertilizer, a2: %100 nitrogen fertilizer and a3:%50 nitrogen + 50% phosphorus and the second factor (B) comprised of biofertilizer application with 4 levels  as b1: control, without any biofertilizer, b2: inoculation by Nitroxin, b3: inoculation by Phosphate Barvare-2 and b4: inoculation by Nitroxin and Barvare-2. Results showed that chemical fertilizer application improved quantitative and qualitative yield of maize grain, especially, as phosphorus and nitrogen were applied together. Application of 50% (N+P) in comparison to non-application of chemical fertilizer, increased grain yield (23.63%), grain protein content (10%), phosphorus (9%), potassium (10%), iron (5%) and zinc (7%) concentrations. Also co-application of Nitroxin and Barvare-2 were more effective than application individually. According to interaction between two factors, maize quantitative and qualitative yield improved by together application of fertilizers better than they applied individually. Nitroxin +Barvare-2+ 50% (N+P)  increased grain yield by 80%, protein 22%, phosphorus and potassium 50% and iron 9% compared with control. Also phosphor availability by chemical and biofertilizers had competition effect for Zn absorption, and caused reduction in grain.


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