Use of formulated nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizer using clinoptilolite zeolite in maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation

Adoption of new management techniques, such as clinoptilolite zeolite (CZ) utilization has attracted much attention in the fertilizer industry. Accordingly, the aims of this study is to evaluate: if CZ, acting as an inert material, when applied to the soil, might improve the selected soil properties, height, dry matter, nutrient concentration, nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency on maize cultivation; the potential for (N:P:K) compound fertilizer when incorporated with CZ to serve same standard as the commercial fertilizer in fertilizer industry. The effect of T1, T3 and T6 on soil total N was found to be significant, when compared with T7. Treatments with CZ on soil total P, K and available P, K differed significantly relatively to T1 and T7. The treatments T5 and T6 had the highest accumulation of exchangeable NH4 + and available NO3 - relatively to T1 and T7. The significant effect of the treatments having CZ on N concentration, in uptake and use efficiency, suggests that CZ incorporated with fertilizer can reduce NH3 loss, triggering the formation of NH4 + and NO3 - over ammonia and increase maize uptake. Relatively to P concentration, uptake and use efficiency, it was found that in most treatments having CZ, lower values were obtained, relatively to the commercial fertilizer, although T3 clearly improved P uptake in roots. Most of the treatments with CZ remained statistically similar in K concentration, uptake and use efficiency compared to commercial fertilizer. It may be concluded that treatments with higher amounts clinoptilolite zeolite ensured good retention of soil exchangeable cations, available P, and NO3 - within the soil. Treatments with CZ improved N uptake and use efficiency in the maize crop tested.