Growth and yield performance of sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata) applied with organic and inorganic fertilizers under different methods of crop establishment

Document Type : Original Article

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1 Graduate student, Department of Agronomy, Visayas State University, Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, 6125- A Philippines

2 Department of Agronomy, Visayas State University, Baybay City, Leyte, 6125-A Philippines

Abstract

Crop establishment method and integrated fertilizer management are crucial in enhancing the productivity of sweet corn hybrids under unpredictable climatic conditions. A field experiment was conducted, which aimed to assess the agronomic, yield response, and profitability of sweet corn production as influenced by the combined application of inorganic and Vermicompost fertilizers under different methods of crop establishment. This study adopted a split plot arranged in an RCBD with the crop establishment method used as the main plot and fertilizer management as the subplot. Statistical analysis revealed that the transplanting method remarkably produced the highest fresh stover yield (16.60 tons ha-1) and the number of marketable ear plots-1 (44.61 ears). This method proved more cost-effective because of a higher gross margin (PhP102, 510.00) and a positive return on investment (ROI). The plants applied with 67.5-45-45 kg ha-1 of N, P2O5, and K2O inorganic fertilizer plus 2.5 tons ha-1 of Vermicompost achieved the highest yield of marketable ears of 8.20 tons ha-1. It attained a very high gross margin (PhP295,808.00) and an ROI of 259%. The interaction effects between the two variables were noted in the fresh stover yield, ear diameter, and the number, and yield of marketable ears. The values obtained generally increased upon applying 75% inorganic and 25% organic fertilizer (T3), especially in the transplanting method of crop establishment. Therefore, the combined application of inorganic (75%) and organic fertilizers (25%) is the best nutrient management option for sweet corn production when established under the transplanting method amid the climate change situation.

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