Impact of enriched organic substrates and fertilizer on nutrient uptake and growth of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Most agricultural soils are deficient in essential nutrients and consequently depend heavily on chemical fertilizers for commercial crop production. The use of organic amendments such as compost can improve soil fertility while reducing environmental hazards. Therefore, this study hypothesized that the combined application of farmyard manure (FYM), compost and humic acid (HA) could improve nutrient uptake, growth and yield of maize more effectively than their individual application. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different organic substrates and fertilizers on nutrient uptake, growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. FYM, compost and Humic acid were applied at 20 t ha⁻¹, 8 t ha⁻¹ and 12 kg ha⁻¹, respectively, either alone or in combination. The combined application of compost + FYM + HA (T7) produced the highest plant N, P and K uptake of 1996.7, 2.88 and 232.33 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, compared with 750, 1.55 and 88.33 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, in the unfertilized control (T0). Treatment T7 also recorded the highest germination (81%), grains cob⁻¹ (442), cob length (14.42 cm), 1000-grain weight (348.47 g), grain yield (1994.4 kg ha⁻¹) and harvest index (17.06%), whereas the corresponding values in T0 were 72%, 384.33 grains cob⁻¹, 11.72 cm, 323.33 g, 1272.2 kg ha⁻¹ and 12.07%, respectively. The highest plant height (139.40 cm) and grain rows cob⁻¹ were recorded under compost + FYM (T4), while total biomass was highest with sole compost application (11853 kg ha⁻¹). Conclusively, the combined application of compost, FYM and humic acid was the most effective treatment for enhancing nutrient uptake and major yield-related attributes of maize, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable nutrient management strategy for improving maize productivity and soil fertility. This study may also support the development of economically viable and environmentally friendly fertilizer recommendations for sustainable maize production. © 2026 The Author(s)