The Effect of adding Fertilizer NPK-Chitosan is Growing and Productive (Zea mays L).

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, University of Basrah's research station in Karama Ali during the 2022 agricultural season. The study aimed to investigate the impact of three types of fertilizers (commercial NPK as a control and two types of prepared NPK-Chitosan organic fertilizers) at four addition levels (0, 1, 1.5, and 2 ton.h^-1) and two levels of organic matter (0% and 2.5%) on the nutrient availability in sandy loam soil. The experimental soil was prepared by plowing, levelling, and dividing it into 6 m² plots. Two levels of composted cattle manure (0 and 2.5 tons.h-1) were mixed with the soil, and fertilizers were prepared at four levels for each fertilizer. Seeds of yellow corn (Zea mays L.) variety "Sagunto" from Fito, a Spanish company registered with the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture, were sown with 5 seeds per hill and a spacing of 40 cm between hills. Crop management practices, including disease and pest control, irrigation, and weeding, were carried out until the end of the growing season.

At the end of the growing season, soil samples were collected to determine the available nitrogen and potassium content. The results indicated that the addition of slow-release NPK-Chitosan fertilizers and organic matter significantly increased the availability of nutrients in the sandy loam soil. NPK-Chitosan fertilizer with a 1:3 wrapping ratio and NPK-Chitosan with a 1:3 mixing ratio showed superior performance compared to the control fertilizer (NPK) in increasing the concentration of essential plant elements. This enhancement in nutrient availability positively influenced the overall yield of yellow corn plants.

In conclusion, I took samples, and the results showed that adding slow-release fertilizers NPK-Chitosan and organic fertilizers led to a significant increase in dry weight and total grain yield for the yellow corn crop. The NPK-Chitosan fertilizer, either in a 1:3 coating ratio or a 1:3 mixing ratio, outperformed the comparative NPK fertilizer in increasing the dry weight and grain yield for the yellow corn crop, reflected in the overall yield of the yellow corn plants.

The results indicated a significant effect of fertilizer type on increasing the yellow corn plants' dry weight and grain yield for the added fertilizer type. The NPK-Chitosan fertilizer in a 1:3 coating ratio achieved the highest values of dry weight and grain yield for the yellow corn plants, reaching 41.79, 6.15, and 47.07 kg.h^-1, respectively, followed by the treatment of NPK-Chitosan fertilizer with a 1:3 mixing ratio and a fertilizer level of 2 tons.ha^-1, which yielded The results showed a significant effect of fertilizer level on increasing the dry weight and grain yield of the yellow corn plants. The dry weight and grain yield increased with higher levels of added fertilizer. Level 2 achieved the highest dry weight values for the vegetative part and grain yield for the yellow corn plants, reaching 2 tons h^-1.35.72, 3.63, and 40.38 kg.h^-1, significantly different from level 1 and 1.5 tons .h^-1. Level 2 also outperformed level 0 tons h^-1 (the control treatment). Similarly, the organic matter showed a significant effect.

The results indicated a significant interaction between the type and level of fertilizer and the level of added organic matter to the soil on the dry weight and grain yield of the yellow corn plants. The NPK-Chitosan fertilizer with a 1:3 coating ratio added at 2 tons.h^-1 outperformed the other treatments, yielding the highest dry weight and grain yield.