Balanced fertilization study of corn

Lapoot, et al. (DA-NOMIARC) studied different balanced fertilization strategies at DA-NOMIARC, Dalwangan, Malaybalay City.

Findings

• Balanced fertilization consisting of organic and inorganic fertilizers gave higher yields than use of inorganic fertilizer alone.
• Application of six bags of Sagana combined with 90-30-30 inorganic fertilizer gave the highest marginal rate of return (MRR) of 1,058% and 5,438% during wet and dry seasons, respectively. It was followed by the application of 0.5 t of chicken manure combined with 106-51-28 inorganic fertilizer. The latter gave 714% and 962% MRR during the wet and dry seasons, respectively.
• There was no change in organic matter content. Only available P was increased by the different balanced fertilization strategies.
• None among the treatments was able to maintain soil pH and amount of soil exchangeable bases (CEC). Both pH and CEC declined after three years.

Source: PCARRD, 2002. Highlights 2001, Los Banos, Laguna.

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