Salwa A.I. Eisa, M.B. Taha and R.N. Habashy( 2010). Improving Soil Productivity For Maize Yields Using Some Amendments, Fe And Zn-Chelates By Different Methods Of ApplicationEgypt. J. Soil Sci. 50, No. 1, pp. 1- 13
Abstract: FIELD experiment was carried out at Sides Research Station, Beni Suief Governorate, for two successive summer seasons 2008 and 2009 using maize plant variety (hybrid S.C 310) to study the effect of sulphur at the rates of S0 (zero) and S1(0.5) Mg S/fed, humic acid (HS) which added by rates H0( zero) and H1(4kg fed-1 for soil application and 1g/L for soaking), Fe EDTA 6% at the rates Fe0 (zero) and Fe1( 20) µg g-1[4kg/fed and 0.33g/L for soil application and soaking] and Zn EDTA 14% at the rates Zn0 (zero) and Zn1 (10) µg g-1[2kg/fed and 0.07g/L for soil application and soaking] and their interaction on maize yield and grains quality. Elemental sulphur was added to the soil, however humic substance, Fe and Zn added by different methods of application, i.e. soaking and soil application. The results showed a decrease for soil ECe values in the rhizosphere of maize plants, since the rate of ECe were 0.98 and 0.87 dS/m-1 after soaking and soil application, respectively comparing to 2.24 dS/m-1 before cultivation. Moreover, pH values reached to 7.61 and 7.34 for soaking and soil application, respectively comparing to 7.81 before cultivation. These results may be due to the presence of elemental S. Data show that the application of HS, Fe and Zn by soaking method was slightly effective on maize grains yield than soil application methods. The highest grains yield was achieved upon treatments by (0.5 Mg S fed-1 + 4kg fed-1 HS + 20 µgg-1 Fe + 10 µgg-1 Zn). The highest means of grains yield in soaking and soil application were 6.13and 6.07 (Mg/ha), respectively. A similar trend was observed for grains contents for N, P and K % & Fe and Zn (µg g-1) and crude protein % since the highest crude protein was 7.98 and 7.86% for soaking and soil application, respectively. Also, data show, slight increases of oil % for all treatments over control. Generally, the application of S, HS, Fe and Zn increased maize yields, and grains quality. The application of HS, Fe and Zn as soaking treatments was slight beneficent than soil application methods. In addition to improving maize nutrition and quality, reduction in the dose of HS, Fe and Zn applied by soaking method is of economic importance and may also lead to ecological benefits and less soil pollution.
Keywords: (Humic substance, Sulphur, Fe, Zn, Maize, Soaking, soil application.)
