Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization and Municipal Waste Compost on Yield, Yield Components and Some of the Grain Macronutrients of Sweet Corn (Zea mays Var. Saccharata)

The present study aims to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilization and municipal waste compost on yield, yield components and some of the grain macronutrients of sweet corn. A field experiment was carried out as a split plot in randomized complete block design with three replications in 2015 at Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center Zarghan-Fars, Iran. The main plot consisted of four levels of nitrogen (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg ha-1) and the subplot included four levels of municipal waste compost (15, 30, 45, and 60 ton ha-1). Results showed that nitrogen and compost amendments increased row number per ear, grain number per row and 1000 grain weight. The highest ear yield and grain yield (21200 and 10140 kg ha-1, respectively) were obtained with application of 150 kg N ha-1 plus 45 ton ha-1 compost. Increasing nitrogen rate led to increase in grain nitrogen content. Increasing municipal waste compost up to 60 ton ha-1 led to increase in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of grain. There was no significant difference between grain yield achieved in the presence of a combination of 75 kg N ha-1 plus 45 ton ha-1 compost and a combination of 150 kg N ha-1 plus 60 ton ha-1 compost. So, applying 45 ton ha-1 compost can reduce nitrogen application up to 75 kg ha-1. Our results illustrated that the combined application of nitrogen and municipal waste compost could be an alternative approach for decreasing the reliance on chemical fertilizers.