Use of formulated nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizer using clinoptilolite zeolite in maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Adoption of new management techniques, such as clinoptilolite zeolite (CZ) utilization has attracted much attention in the fertilizer industry. Accordingly, the aims of this study is to evaluate: if CZ, acting as an inert material, when applied to the soil, might improve the selected soil properties, height, dry matter, nutrient concentration, nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency on maize cultivation; the potential for (N:P:K) compound fertilizer when incorporated with CZ to serve same standard as the commercial fertilizer in fertilizer industry. The effect of T1, T3 and T6 on soil total N was found to be significant, when compared with T7. Treatments with CZ on soil total P, K and available P, K differed significantly relatively to T1 and T7. The treatments T5 and T6 had the highest accumulation of exchangeable NH4 + and available NO3 - relatively to T1 and T7. The significant effect of the treatments having CZ on N concentration, in uptake and use efficiency, suggests that CZ incorporated with fertilizer can reduce NH3 loss, triggering the formation of NH4 + and NO3 - over ammonia and increase maize uptake. Relatively to P concentration, uptake and use efficiency, it was found that in most treatments having CZ, lower values were obtained, relatively to the commercial fertilizer, although T3 clearly improved P uptake in roots. Most of the treatments with CZ remained statistically similar in K concentration, uptake and use efficiency compared to commercial fertilizer. It may be concluded that treatments with higher amounts clinoptilolite zeolite ensured good retention of soil exchangeable cations, available P, and NO3 - within the soil. Treatments with CZ improved N uptake and use efficiency in the maize crop tested.
Authors: Krystle Rabai, Osumanu Kasim
Institution: Universiti Putra Malaysia
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2112861827