EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COMPOST AS FERTILIZATION STRATEGY IN MAIZE CULTIVATION (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important crop in México for its productive, socioeconomic and cultural contributions, grown practically throughout the country. Due to the pollution caused by chemical fertilizers and residues from sugar refineries (organic matter), this study evaluated a proposal for the use of organic fertilizers (compost) for maize production. Two sugar refineries function in Úrsulo Galván, Veracruz, México, and the residues that remain from the process of sugar production can be used as compost to substitute the nutrient contribution that chemical fertilizers offer by comparing them with the dose of chemical fertilization recommended for the zone, 150-60-00 of N-P-P. The study was made with a maize hybrid whose root and stem are resistant to lodging, with the objective of evaluating the different levels of compost to improve the development, quality and production of maize for corncob, using three treatments with compost, one with chemical fertilization, and one control, with four repetitions in a completely random block design in an area of 480 m². The variables of plant height and stem diameter had a more efficient result with chemical fertilization during the first readings, but in the remaining readings there was no statistical difference with organic fertilization.