Mutual Effect among Some Organic Substances and Micronutrients on Maize (Zea mays l.) Grown on Sandy Soil

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

 
          TWO FIELD experiments were conducted at a farm in Ismailia  ……..Governorate, Egypt during two successive summer seasons of 2011 and 2012. The response of maize grains (Triple hybride 310) grown on a sandy loam soil to different organic amendments, i.e., compost (CO) and humic acid (HA) at different rates and foliar spraying with micronutrients (mixture of Fe, Mn and Zn) on growth characters, productivity and nutrients in plant were assessed. The obtained results reveal CO and HA enhanced the growth and yield productivity of maize as well as nutrient contents and uptake. CO effectively augmented these parameters in comparison with HA application. Foliar spray with micronutrients in combination with CO or HA substantially elevated these parameters. N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Zn uptake by grains; significantly increased by application of the treatments. The highest response of maize productivity and nutrients uptake by grains were achieved by application of CO in combination with foliar spray of micronutrients followed by HA + foliar spray of micronutrients for the two growing seasons. Highest values of protein content and protein yield (205 g kg-1 and 1114 kg ha-1), respectively were at the first season and (218 g kg-1 and 1185 kg ha-1) at the second one were obtained due to the application of HA at the rate of 36 kg ha-1 + foliar spray with micronutrients.
 

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