Growth and Yield of Purple Kculli Corn Plants under Different Fertilization Schemes

Abstract

Globally, corn is the most economically important crop, surpassing other cereals of economic importance. However, the tillage methods, monoculture and the abuse of synthetic agrochemicals used in Mexico have led to the loss of fertility and soil yield. In this sense, the application of alternative fertilization methods based on chemical fertilizer, organic matter and biofertilizer, applied alone or in combination, can stimulate the defense systems of corn plants and increase their yield. Therefore, in this research, some fertilization schemes were tested on purple corn plants of the Kculli race through the evaluation of some growth and yield variables, as well as the subsequent evaluation of the chemical characteristics of the corn grain produced in each fertilization scheme. The results indicate highly significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between treatments, for the different growth and yield variables studied. Of all the fertilization schemes evaluated, treatment T7 obtained the best grain yield of 6.19 ± 0.07 t ha−1, with respect to treatment T1 of 1.02 ± 0.01 t ha−1, as well as the highest protein content and starch quality. Being clear the positive effect of the adequate contribution of the macro and micronutrients used exerts on the corn crop in each of the fertilization schemes studied. On the other hand, the analysis carried out on the grains was found within the values reported by other authors.

CHALQUEÑO MAIZE (Zea mays L.) YIELD UNDER DIFFERENT FERTILIZATION SCHEMES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF APAN, HIDALGO, MEXICO

“…These results are similar to the percentages of 0.81 and 0.83 ears per plant obtained in treatments T2 and T3, during the year 2019. In this regard, periods of atypical rainfall during key stages of the crop can cause the abortion of grains and ears, giving rise to ear percentages below one unit (Romero-Cortes et al, 2022b). In other studies, with Chalqueño maize was reported that they can obtain from 0.9 to 1.1 ears per plant, under very favorable experimental and rainfed conditions (Arellano et al, 2003;Velázquez, 2013).…”

“…The harvest of the ears was carried out once the crop reached its physiological maturity between the first and second week of October of the years 2019 and 2020, respectively. At the end of the crop cycle, the following agronomic characters were recorded: plant height, stem diameter, ear length and diameter (cm), ears per plant and grain yield adjusted to 12% H2O, using the conversion factor of the harvested area with respect to one hectare, expressed in t ha -1 (Romero- Cortes et al, 2022b).…”

“…The best results were obtained with the Chalqueño maize plants of the T4 and T2 treatments, with values of 234.2 and 242.9 cm and 209 and 230 cm, for plant height and 2.41 and 2.9 cm and 2.22 and 2.64 cm, for the stem diameter, corresponding to the crop years 2019 and 2020, respectively. In this regard, several studies report that the best plant heights were obtained the corn plants were fertilized with a mixed fertilizer, based on the combination of biofertilizers, compost, and the recommended dose of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (Ahmed et al, 2016;Montejo-Martínez et al, 2018;Romero-Cortes et al, 2022b). The Chalqueño race is one of the most productive landraces in the High Valleys, with tall plants (Mota et al, 2020a).…”

“…The effect of microorganism-chemical fertilizer interaction could be verified in the maize plants of the T4 treatment, which were the ones that obtained the highest plant height and stem diameter. Where the joint interaction of microorganisms, with organic matter and chemical fertilizers resulted in an increase in the stem diameter of maize plants (Zulueta-Rodríguez et al, 2020;Romero-Cortes et al, 2022b).…”

Improvement of Glutinous Corn and Watermelon Yield by Lime and Microbial Organic Fertilizers

“…Te plant height and diameter of glutinous corn were collected by measuring from the soil surface to the apex of the spike in centimeters, and the diameter of the plant was measured at 5 cm above the ground at 20 DAS and harvest [12]. Te number of leaves was counted per plant at 20 DAS and harvest.…”