Amending Chemical Fertilizers with Rice Straw Compost and Clinoptilolite Zeolite and Their Effects on Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Fresh Cob Yield of Zea mays L.

ABSTRACT

A field study was carried out from April 2014 to August 2014 for two consecutive planting cycles of Zea mays L. on Nyalau Series (Typic Tualemkuts) to determine the short-term effects of co-application of chemical fertilizers, rice straw compost, and clinoptilolite zeolite on (i) ammonium adsorption and desorption, (ii) nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake and use efficiency, and (iii) yield of Zea mays L. (cobs). Amending urea with rice straw compost and clinoptilolite zeolite improved nitrogen use efficiency because of temporary adsorption and desorption of ammonium on the exchange sites of compost and clinoptilolite zeolite. Combined use of chemical fertilizers, rice straw compost, and clinoptilolite zeolite enhanced uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Co-application of chemical fertilizers, rice straw compost, and clinoptilolite zeolite can improve the availability of soil nutrients. This approach can also improve nutrient use efficiency and yield of Zea mays L.

KEYWORDS:

• Adsorption
• clinoptilolite zeolite
• compost
• desorption
• nutrients build-up

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support (Fundamental Research Grant Scheme) from the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, and Universiti Putra Malaysia for the collaborative research.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme.