The Impact of Fertilizer Type on Iron Availability in the Rhizosphere of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effect of different fertilizer sources on iron availability at different growth periods in the rhizosphere of maize crop. Different treatment levels of nitrogen fertilizer (urea) 400 and 200 kg ha-1, humic acid 500 and 250 cm l-1 per dunum, and organic fertilizer (sheep waste) 8 and 4 tons ha-1 were used in addition to the control were used. The treatment levels were considered the recommended and half the recommended dose for each. A Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D.) was used with three replications. The seeds of the local maize variety were sown in 9 m2 (3m × 3m) plots. The available iron was estimated in the rhizosphere and bulk soils × 70 and 100 days of maize planting. The results showed that urea, humic acid, and sheep manure increased the concentration of available iron in the rhizosphere and bulk soils. The highest values were in the rhizosphere, and bulk soils with the treatment of the recommended level of sheep manure, and the lowest was the treatment of half of the recommended level in mineral fertilization in both periods of 70 and 100 days of cultivation. This refers to the role of organic matter in the processing of iron. The results present a decrease in the concentration of available iron in 100 days compared to 70 days of cultivation in the rhizosphere and bulk soils.