Sole and Combined Application of Biodigestate, N, P, and K Fertilizers: Impacts on Soil Chemical Properties and Maize Performance

ScientificWorldJournal. 2024 Feb 20;2024:6685906. doi: 10.1155/2024/6685906. eCollection 2024.ABSTRACTThe fertilizing effects of biodigestate produced from biogas plants on crop and soil productivity are very scarce. Hence, a field study was conducted in 2022 at the Teaching and Research Farm of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. The study evaluated the effects of biodigestate fertilizer, applied alone or in combination with urea, single superphosphate, or muriate of potash fertilizers at low (N1, K1, and P1) and high (N2, P2, and K2) rates on soil chemical properties, growth, and yield of maize (Zea mays (L.)). The treatments were biodigestate alone (D), D + N fertilizer (urea) at 60 kg·ha-1 (DN1), D + N at 120 kg·ha-1 (DN2), D + P fertilizer (single superphosphate) at 30 kg·ha-1 (DP1), D + P at 60 kg·ha-1 (DP2), D + K fertilizer (muriate of potash) at 30 kg·ha-1 (DK1), D + K 60 kg·ha-1 (DK2), D + N1 + P1 + K1 (DN1P1K1), D + N2 + P2 + K2 (DN2P2K2) (10), and control. The 10 treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Results showed that both low and high rates of fertilizer application improved soil chemical properties, growth parameters, and yield of maize compared with the control. High fertilizer rates (N2, P2, and K2) significantly enhanced soil chemical properties and growth parameters, but lower rates (N1, P1, and K1) resulted in higher maize yield. DN1 fertilizer significantly increased maize yield compared ...
Source: The Scientific World Journal - Category: Science Authors: Source Type: research