TITLE:
Impact of Commercial Organic Ameliorants on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations of Maize Biomass at Ninth Leaf and Silking Growth Stages
AUTHORS:
Tlangelani Cedric Baloyi, Funso Raphael Kutu, Christiaan Cornelius du Preez
KEYWORDS:
Field Trials, Grain Yield, Primary Nutrients, Reproductive Growth, Vegetative Growth
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.11 No.5,
May
29,
2023
ABSTRACT: The response of grain yield, biomass yield and
harvest index of maize to the application of commercial organic ameliorants was
inconsistent and poor. Hence it was hypothesized that the supply of N and P to
maize plants was inadequate during vegetative growth, resulting in low
concentrations of the two nutrients in maize biomass. The effects of nine
ameliorants on the N and P concentrations of maize plants at ninth leaf (V9)
and silking (R1) stages of maize were studied over three years at Bothaville
(8% clay), Ottosdal (12% clay) and Potchefstroom (34% clay). All ameliorants
were applied as prescribed by manufacturers. The N and P concentrations in
maize biomass of the ameliorants at V9 and R1 were lower, comparable or higher,
showing that the inconsistent and poor response of yield parameters can not be
ascribed to inadequate uptake of N and P. A matter of concern that justifies
thorough investigation, is the prescribed use of Crop care and Growmor with
partial and of Montys and Promis with no NPK fertilization, an unsustainable
practice over the long term. Characterization of the active ingredient(s) of
the ameliorants is deemed also of importance for better insight.