418397

Optimizing Maize Productivity Through Integrated Nitrogen Fertilization Strategies: Insights from the Stable Nitrogen Isotope (15N) Technique

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Last updated: 29 Mar 2025

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Abstract

        Nitrogen is a vital nutrient for maximizing maize productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions characterized by soil fertility degradation and water scarcity. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of integrated nitrogen fertilization strategies, combining chemical, organic, and biofertilizers, to enhance maize performance. Field experiments were conducted using a split-split plot design. Chemical nitrogen was applied as 15N-labeled urea, either alone or in combination with organic amendments of plant origin and mixed forms. Biofertilizers, including Nitrobin, Cerealin, and Phosphorin, were also tested. Results indicated that a 75% urea rate significantly improved grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE%) compared to a 50% urea rate. While combining organic compost or biofertilizers with urea slightly reduced grain yield, all treatments involving urea, organic amendments, or bacterial inoculants resulted in substantial yield increases over the untreated control. The 15N-labeled data confirmed that urea was the primary nitrogen source for maize, followed by organic compost and biofertilizers. Among the tested combinations, 75% urea with mixed organic compost and Nitrobin outperformed others, demonstrating its potential as an optimal management practice for improving maize productivity under varying fertilization scenarios.

DOI

10.21608/djas.2025.418397

Keywords

Bioorganic fertilizers, isotope dilution, integrated management, NUE, Plant Productivity, Soil fertility

Authors

First Name

M.

Last Name

Soliman

MiddleName

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Affiliation

Soil and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damietta University, Egypt

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City

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Orcid

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First Name

M.

Last Name

Elshayeb

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Soil and Water Research Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, AbouZaabal, Egypt

Email

love_m2028@yahoo.com

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

A.

Last Name

Moursy

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Soil and Water Research Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, AbouZaabal Egypt

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-

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-

Orcid

-

Volume

4

Article Issue

1

Related Issue

53403

Issue Date

2025-01-01

Receive Date

2025-03-20

Publish Date

2025-01-01

Page Start

183

Page End

195

Print ISSN

2812-5347

Online ISSN

2812-5355

Link

https://djas.journals.ekb.eg/article_418397.html

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http://journals.ekb.eg?_action=service&article_code=418397

Order

418,397

Type

Original research papers

Type Code

3,413

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Damietta Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Publication Link

https://djas.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Optimizing Maize Productivity Through Integrated Nitrogen Fertilization Strategies: Insights from the Stable Nitrogen Isotope (15N) Technique

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Article

Created At

29 Mar 2025