OPTIMIZATION OF ORGANIC, BIOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS CONSUMPTION ON YIELD, YIELD COMPONENTS, AND NITRATE ACCUMULATION IN CORN GRAIN

Abstract

These days, the application of organic and biofertilizers to optimize the use of chemical fertilizers as well as improve crop quality and maintain soil fertility in sustainable agricultural systems, has gained special significance. A split split-plot experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design and with 4 replications and two consecutive years in 2018 and 2019, to investigate the effect of combined application of biological, organic, and chemical fertilizers on yield and quality of single-cross Simon corn grain. Nitrogen treatment was used in three levels of zero, 150 and 300 kg/ha or by using 46% urea fertilizer and vermicompost treatment was used in three levels of 0, 6 and 12 tons per hectare and mycorrhiza treatment was considered in two levels of application and non-application. The results display that the effect of mycorrhiza fertilizer on 100-grain weight and final yield and quality traits was significant. The effect of vermicompost fertilizer on nitrate and grain yield components was significant. The effect of application of nitrogen fertilizer on all items was significant. Findings show that by consuming 6 tons per hectare of vermicompost along with mycorrhiza or 50% nitrogen fertilizer, the best grain quality can be achieved in terms of the lowest amount of nitrate accumulation in the grain without significant reduction in yield.