Comparative effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilization on the Morphological and Physiological traits of Sweet Corn (Zea mays var. saccharata)

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Norman E. Borlaug CRC, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, during the Kharif season of 2020 to evaluates the impact of different fertilization strategies on the morphological and physiological traits of sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata), focusing on the efficacy of combining the Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) with enriched biochar (EB), vermicompost (VC), and micronutrients (µNM). The experiment was arranged in a RBD with eight treatments, including absolute  control (T₁); 100% RDF through conventional fertilizer (T₂); 100% RDF with vermicompost (VC) 4t ha^-1 (T₃);  100% RDF with EB 2t ha^-1 (T₄); 75%  RDF with VC 4t ha^-1 (T₅); 75%  RDF with EB 2t ha^-1 (T₆); 75% RDF with VC 4t ha^-1 +micronutrient mixture (T₇) and 75% RDF with EB 2t ha^-1 micronutrient mixture(T₈).The 100% RDF + EB treatment was consistently superior in enhancing plant morphological and physiological parameters, including root dry weight, SPAD readings, and NDVI values, compared to conventional 100% RDF and other treatment combinations. Notably, the slow-release properties of biochar-coated urea in the EB treatments contributed to sustained nutrient availability, leading to improved chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, and net assimilation rates (NAR) during critical growth stages. These findings suggest that integrating biochar with conventional fertilization practices can optimize nutrient uptake, improve crop performance, and offer a sustainable alternative to traditional farming practices. This approach has significant implications for reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers while maintaining high productivity in sweet corn cultivation.