Evaluation of Organic-Based Fertilizers for Corn Production in the Marginal Uplands of Inopacan Leyte

Berta  C. Ratilla,; Othello  B. Capuno,; Sataki  P. Toledo,

Evaluation of Organic-Based Fertilizers for Corn Production in the Marginal Uplands of Inopacan Leyte

Berta C. Ratilla | Sataki P. Toledo | Othello B. Capuno

Abstract:

Marginal uplands have lowcrop productivity due to poor soil fertility and continuous degradation. The study evaluated the effects of various organicbased fertilizers on the growth and yield performance of corn; determine the appropriate combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers foroptimumcorn yield; and assess changes in soil properties. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three replications with seven treatments:T =(0-0-0);T =1t ha evans+45-30-30 kgN,P O K Oha ;T =1t 0 1 2 5, 2 2 -1 -1 ha wellgrow+45-30-30 kgN,P O K Oha ;T =15t ha chicken litter;T =10t -1 -1 -1 2 5, 2 3 4 ha chicken litter + 45-30-30 kgN, P O K O ha ; T = 15 t ha vermicast; and T -1 -1 -1 2 5, 2 5 6 =10t ha vermicast+45-30-30kgN,P O K Oha . -1 -1 2 5, 2 Most agronomic characters aswell as yield and yield components of corn were significantly affected by the treatments. Application of 10 t ha chicken -1 litter + 45-30-30 kgN, P O K O ha markedly enhanced height, leaf area index 2 5, 2 -1 and stover yield of corn comparable with 10 t ha Vermicast + 45-30-30 kg N, -1 P O K O ha . This treatment produced significantly higher grain yield in two 2 5, 2 -1 croppings due to bigger ears and heavier seed weight over the untreated control and appeared the most promising combination. No remarkable changes in soil propertieswere noted except for an increase in available P and exchangeable K. Supplementation of organic with inorganic fertilizers is necessary toenhance productivity ofmarginal uplands.

References:

AGUILERA, E., L. LASSALETTA, A. S. COBENA, J. GARNIER and A. VALLEJO. 2013. The potential of organic fertilizers and water management to reduce N20 emissions in Mediterranean climate cropping systems. A review. Agric, Ecosystems and Environment. 164: 32-52.
AYENI, L.S. and M.T. ADETUNJI. 2008. Integrated application of poultry manure and mineral fertilizer on soil chemical properties, nutrient uptake, yield and growth components of maize. Nature and Science. 1:60-67.
BRADY, N.C. and R.R. WEIL. 2002. The Nature and Properties of Soils. 13^th edition. Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458.960pp.
COSICO, W. 2005. Primer of Soil Science. University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. 182pp.
LANDON, J.R. 1991. Booker Tropical Soil Manual. A hand book for soil survey and Agricultural Land Evaluation in the Tropics and Subtropics. Longman Scientific and Technical John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158474 pp.
MAZZONCINI, M., S. CANALI, M. GIOVANNETTI, M. CASTAGNOLI, F. TITTARELLI, D. ANTICHI, R. NANNELLI, C. CRISTANI, and P. BARBERI. 2010. Comparison of organic and conventional stockless arable systems: A multidisciplinary approach to soil quality evaluation. Applied Soil Ecology. 44:124-132.
MULLER, A. 2009. Benefits of organic agriculture as climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy for developing countries. In: Environment for Development Discussion Paper Series. April 2009. EfD DP 09-09.
PERUMAL, K., K. PRAVEENA, V. STALIN and B. JANARTHANAM. 2006. Assessment of selected organic manures as plant growth hormones and their impact on the growth attributes of Alium cepa Lin. Current Science. http://www.biodynamic.net.au/biodynamic_research.htm.
QUIMBO, M.C., C.P. MAMARIL and K.L.S. TAFERE. 2014. Organic versus inorganic management on the yield and soil fertility of irrigated lowland rice. Annals of Tropical Research. 36(1):32-49.
SCILLABBA, N. EH. and M. LINDENLAUF. 2010. Organic agriculture and climate change. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems: 25(2); 158-169.