Field performance of sweetcorn (Zea mays L.) as influenced by crop establishment methods and integrated fertilizer application

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Agronomy, Visayas State University (VSU), Visca, Baybay City, 6521 Leyte, Philippines

Abstract

Crop establishment methods and fertilizer application are crucial management practices that can enhance the productivity and sustainability of sweetcorn farming. A study was conducted for the Honey Star F1 sweetcorn variety to assess the effects of crop establishment and fertilizer application with Bio-N on the growth, yield, sensory attributes, and profitability of sweetcorn. This was laid out in a split plot arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Two crop establishment methods such as direct seeding and transplanting were designated as the main plot and five fertilizer management as subplots; namely: T1- No fertilizer applied; T2- 90-60-60 kg ha-1 N, P2O5, K2O (RR); T3- 45-30-30 kg ha-1 N, P2O5, K2O + Bio-N; T4- 5 t ha-1 poultry manure + Bio-N; T5- 2.5 t ha-1 poultry manure + 45-30-30 kg ha-1 N, P2O5, K2O + Bio-N. A significant interaction was noted on the number of days from planting to harvest, fresh stover yield (t ha-1), number of marketable and non-marketable ears, total green ear yield (t ha-1), and harvest index. The application of T2, T3, and T4 significantly shortened the time from planting to harvest under direct seeding than transplanting. While T5 markedly produced more marketable green ears, higher fresh stover yield under direct seeding than transplanting. Thereby, corn growers should follow the direct seeding method and adopt an integrated nutrient management to address financial constraints and climate change adaptation strategies, thereby reducing the negative impact on corn production albeit climate change situation

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