The Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Manure Biogas on the Productivity of Maize and Some Soil Properties

Lina Maydaa(1) Zuhair Zaher(1) Nabila Kridi*(1) and Haitham Eid(2)

(1). Natural Resources Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Tartous Agricultural Research Center, Damascus, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Eng. Nabila Kridi. E-Mail: nabilakridi@hotmail.com).

Received: 18/12/2015                           Accepted: 20/04/2016

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of nitrogen fertilizer, and biogas manure on the productivity of hybrid maize crop (cv. Merritt), and some soil properties, at Western Zahid Research Station, Agricultural Research Center of Tartous, GCSAR/Syria, during the seasons 2011, 2012, and 2013. Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) was adopted with three replicates. The treatments were 12 (3 levels of nitrogen fertilizer i.e., 0, 12, and 24 kg/ha, and 4 levels of biogas manure i.e., 0, 6, 8, and 10 l/ m2). The results showed a significant increase in the productivity of maize by increasing the addition of manure biogas and mineral nitrogen fertilizer. The best treatment was fertilized by 24 kg N/ ha, and 10 l/m2 of biogas manure in all three seasons (15.82, 16.31.16.89 ton /ha, respectively). Soil organic matter was increased in most treatments which fertilized with biogas manure. It was observed a gradual increase in the soil organic matter with the increment in manure biogas in the absence of N fertilizers compared with the control. Total nitrogen increased in the soil gradually by increasing the addition of manure biogas. As well as the available phosphorus and potassium in soil increased in all treatments of manure biogas.

Key words: Manure biogas, N fertilizers, Organic matter, Soil properties, Maize.

Full paper in Arabic: The Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Manure Biogas on the Productivity of Maize and Some Soil Properties