Yield benefit and soil fertility improved by different fertilizer application placements and supplementary organic manure in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Through a long-term micro-area positioning experiment (2006-2017), the precise fertilization locations of spring maize (Zea mays L.) in Jilin, China, were investigated using an embedded cement bucket pot. The effects of different fertilization placements and additional application of organic manure on maize yield, biomass, grain nutrient uptake, and soil fertility were examined. Six treatments were designed: base fertilizer + topdressing shallow application (BF1 TD1); base fertilizer deep + topdressing shallow application (BF2 TD1); base fertilizer + topdressing deep application (BF1 TD2); base fertilizer deep + topdressing deep application (BF2 TD2); base fertilizer + topdressing + organic manure shallow application (BF1 TD1 + OS); and base fertilizer + topdressing shallow application + organic manure deep application (BF1 TD1 + OD). After 12 years of continuous experimentation, the findings revealed that BF2 TD2, BF1 TD1 + OS, and BF1 TD1 + OD exhibited 10.59 %, 25.17 %, and 29.34 % higher average yields than BF1 TD1, respectively. Deep topdressing was more beneficial in increasing maize yield and nutrient accumulation, and additionally, increasing the use of organic fertilizer enhanced plant biomass and nutrient uptake. Over the 12 years considered, the soil organic matter in the 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm layers increased by 45.96 % and 80.61 %, respectively, and the soil pH increased from 0.38 to 0.48. In general, the deep application of organic manure was more beneficial for soil retention as it can increase soil fertility in the 0-40 cm layer. Considering the high yield and nutrient absorption and utilization of maize, technical advancement for soil fertilizer in whole-field tillage layers was crucial.