TITLE:
Biofertilizers and Maize: Impacts on Growth and Productivity in Sustainable Agriculture
AUTHORS:
Eriberto Joel Tejada-Rodríguez, Elvio de la Cruz-Frías, Andrea Arreguín
KEYWORDS:
Biol, Balsam Pear, Moringa, Corn, Biofertilizers, Foliar, Soil
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.10,
October
21,
2025
ABSTRACT: The use of biofertilizers in modern agriculture represents a sustainable alternative to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, contributing to improved soil health, enhanced nutrient uptake efficiency, and reduced environmental impacts. This research aimed to determine the effect of combined doses of biol (Moringa oleifera Lam) and bitter melon (Momordica charantia) applied via soil and foliar routes on maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation. The methodology used was a cross-sectional experimental field study employing a factorial design represented by two factors (F(A) foliar and F(B) soil), for a total of 16 combinations (4 foliar applications × 4 soil applications) with 3 replicates, resulting in 48 experimental units across an area of 260 m2. Regarding the research results obtained, it was determined that the effect of moringa and bitter melon showed significant differences among the combinations and treatments, where A2B3 (760 L∙ha−1 foliar + 11,400 L∙ha−1 soil) showed the highest vegetative and yield averages, reaching a cob weight of 0.37 kg, equivalent to 8700 kg∙ha−1 of grain, representing a 7.27% increase compared to the control. This dose exhibited greater physiological characteristics in the corn seedlings, such as weight, stem diameter, and height. In this case, significant differences were observed between the treatments, thereby supporting the alternative hypothesis of this study.