Effect of Adding Levels of Palm Fronds Compost and Mineral Fertilizer on Fertile Soil Characteristics, Quality, and Productivity of Maize Yield (Zea Mays L.)

Abstract

An experiment was carried out in one of the fields of the Soil Research Department - Agricultural Research Department/Ministry of Agriculture in the Abu Ghraib district at latitude 33° 17" 31 N and longitude 44° 03" 56 E and 35 m above sea level. This field study was conducted in the autumn season 2021-2022 for the cultivation of yellow maize ( Maha cultivar) in sedimentary soil with silty clay loam texture, with a Split Plot Design. The treatments were distributed using the RCBD for three replicates with two factors. The first factor represents the main plots that include the addition of mineral fertilizer 120, 80, and 320 kg.ha-1 for each of (N, P, and K), respectively, at three levels (0, 50, and 100%) of the fertilizer recommendation. On the other hand, the second factor was a subplot of organic fertilizer (palm frond compost) at three levels (0, 5, and 10) μg.ha-1 . Soil samples were taken to estimate the availability of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, where the total yield and percentage of protein for yellow maize were estimated. The results showed that adding organic fertilizers (palm fronds) with the levels of mineral fertilizers increased the availability of nutrients and the yield of maize. Accordingly, the treatment O2M2 achieved the highest values of nutrient availability, quantity, and quality of yield, reaching (59.167, 33.407, and 257.967) mg.kg-1 soil and (10,096) μg.ha-1 and (9.435%) for each of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, yield, and protein percentage, respectively. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the treatments of O1M2 and O2M1 in the amount of yield and the percentage of protein, which gave the values of 8.403 and 8.134 μg.ha-1, respectively, and the protein percentage of 8.630 and 8.915% respectively. It can be concluded that organic fertilizers can be added to compensate for mineral fertilizers, reduce environmental pollution, and reduce the economic cost and soil preservation because organic fertilizers are considered safe and environmentally friendly. Keywords: yellow maize, mineral fertilizer, palm fronds compost.