Integration of Mineral Fertilizer and Poultry Manure for Improving Soil Health and Maize Growth under Calcareous Soil Environment
Integration of Mineral Fertilizer and Poultry Manure for Improving Soil Health and Maize Growth under Calcareous Soil Environment
Muhammad Fiyyaz1, Ghulam Sarwar1*, Noor-Us-Sabah1, Mukkram Ali Tahir1, Muhammad Aftab2, Muhammad Zeeshan Manzoor1, Sarfraz Hussain3, Ayesha Zafar1, Imran Shehzad1 and Aneela Riaz4
ABSTRACT
Pakistani soils are deficient in organic matter. Organic matter in the soil affects soil properties and processes. The adequate carbon level of the soil is 1.29 % but in Pakistani soils carbon is less than the adequate level because of high temperature and low rainfall. Different sources of organic matters such as farm yard manure, poultry waste, rice husk etc. can increase productiveness of soil. Combined usage of poultry waste material and chemical fertilizer improved maize growth and health of soil. This experiment comprised of 11 treatments applied under completely randomized design like, T1 = chemical fertilizers at recommended rate, T2 = chemical fertilizers at half recommended rate, T3 = waste of poultry at the rate of 5 ton/ha, T4 = waste of poultry at the rate of 7.5 ton/ha, T5 = waste of poultry at the rate of 10 ton/ha, T6 = T1 + T3, T7 = T1 + T4, T8 = T1 + T5, T9 = T2 + T3, T10 = T2 + T4 and T11 = T2 + T5. At maturity and different agronomic and yield parameters were recorded before harvesting maize plants. Laboratory analysis for collected soil samples was carried out. Data were statistically analyzed. Results indicated that treatment (T8) produce maximum plant height (115.0 cm), biomass (64.34 g) and root length (27.083 cm) of maize. Organic matter content (1.78 %), phosphorus (16.67 ppm) and potassium (213.0 ppm) concentration in soil was also increased in this treatment.
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