Improving Nutrient Recovery of Zea Mays L. Using Paddy Husk Compost and Clinoptilolite Zeolite

Omar Latifah1, Osumanu Haruna Ahmed1,2,3, and Nik Muhamad Abdul Majid4

1. Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia

2. Borneo Ecosystem Science Research Centre, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

3. Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFos), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

4. Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Product (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

Abstract: Co-application of inorganic fertilizers and paddy husk compost at different rates amended with clinoptilolite zeolite using maize as a test crop were tested in a pot study to determine their effects on: (i) selected soil chemical properties and (ii) nutrients recovery of maize. A pot study was carried out for 45 days (tasselling stage). The treatments evaluated were: Soil only (T0), 7.40 g urea + 5 g TSP + 3.80 g MOP (T1), 7.40 g urea + 5 g TSP + 3.80 g MOP + 192 g zeolite + 192 g compost (T2), 5.55 g urea + 3.75 g TSP + 2.85 g MOP + 192 g zeolite + 385 g compost (T3), 3.70 g urea + 2.50 g TSP + 1.90 g MOP + 192 g zeolite + 577 g compost (T4) and 3.70 g urea + 2.50 g TSP + 1.90 g MOP + 577 g compost (T5). Co-application of inorganic fertilizers with paddy husk compost and clinoptilolite zeolite improved soil total N, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, available P, and recovery of P and K. Soil chemical properties and productivity of maize can be improved by adopting co-application of inorganic fertilizers with paddy husk compost and clinoptilolite zeolite.

Key words: chemical fertilizers, organic amendment, nutrients availability, nutrients efficacy