Effect of effective microbes, chemical fertilizer and compost on growth, physical properties of corn (Zea Mays) and soil quality

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays) is one of the most significant crops on the basis of its role in world crop production. Its great variability and its consequent adaptability to varied environmental conditions have allowed it to be grown throughout the world. Effective Microorganisms (EM) was technologically advanced for use fundamentally in agricultural fields as an unconventional to abandon agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. EM contains a group of different kinds of advantageous microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, and Actinomycetes. It has been recognized to be very valuable as well as effective in agronomy. This study was conducted to determine the effect of effective microorganisms (EM), chemical fertilizer (CF) and a mixture of EM and Compost (EM & C) on growth and physical properties of corn as well as soil quality. The analysis was made on the soil content of nutrients compositions such as (N, P and K), moisture and measurements of pH. However, the analysis of plants covered the height of plants, number of leafs and colour then weight, length, and diameter of corn ear. The results showed that the application of CF has significantly increased the average of plant height 11.5%, plant weight 18.66% and number of leafs 4.96%, are higher than EM and EM & C. Otherwise, the average of corn weight 24.3%, length 9.18% and diameter 11.24% of CF are higher than EM and EM & C. Moreover, the application of CF has vitally improved the soil properties such as the increased of the average soil moisture content 8.39%. On the other hand, the average of nitrate concentration for CF 174.8 mg/L, phosphorus concentration 6.2 mg/L, and soil potassium concentration 17.9 mg/L compared to the EM and EM & C. The result also showed that the application of CF gave better soil improvement than others with the average soil pH of 12.97%. This study had proven that different type of fertilizers gave different kind of effects on growth and physical properties of corn