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The influence of vermicomposting on photosynthetic activity and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) crop under semi-arid climate

Author

Listed:
  • Muhammad Younas
  • Huasong Zou
  • Tasmia Laraib
  • Waseem Abbas
  • Muhammad Waqar Akhtar
  • Muhammad Naveed Aslam
  • Luqman Amrao
  • Shoukat Hayat
  • Tariq Abdul Hamid
  • Akhtar Hameed
  • Ghalib Ayaz Kachelo
  • Mona M Elseehy
  • Ahmed M El-Shehawi
  • Ali Tan Kee Zuan
  • Yunzhou Li
  • Muhammad Arif

Abstract

Food production and waste recycling are the two major issues faced globally with rapidly increasing population. Recycling organic wastes to crop amendments could be a possible solution to these issues. Earthworms transfer organic waste to compost, which is used to grow crops and increase crop productivity. This study assessed the impact of vermicompost produced from the residues of six desert plant species, i.e., (Ziziphus mauritiana, Aerva javanica, Calligonum comosum, Sacchrum benghalens, Calligonum polygonoides and Prosopis cineraria) combined with farmyard manure (5 t ha-1) on growth, yield and photosynthetic activity of maize crop. Earthworm species Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) was used to prepare vermicomposting of all tested plant species. The desert species were collected from natural habitats, chopped, dried, mixed with FYM and then earthworms were released to prepare the vermicompost. The earthworms were excluded twenty days after release and resultant was considered as compost and used in the experiment. Results revealed that application of P. cineraria vermicompost resulted in the highest plant height (75.33 cm), stem diameter (22.66 mm), cob length (17.66 cm), number of grains/cob (374.67), 1000-grain weight (260.41 g) and grains yield (3.20 t/ha). Application of P. cineraria vermicompost resulted in the highest uptake of macronutrients, i.e., N (91.01%), P (22.07%), K (80.41%), micronutrients, i.e., Fe (19.07 ppm), Zn (40.05 ppm), and phenolic contents (150). Application of P. cineraria vermicompost also resulted in the highest quantum photosynthetic yield (0.42 mole C/mole of photon), chlorophyll florescence (355.18 moles of photon m-2s-1) and electron transport rate (310.18 micro mole m-2s-1). It is concluded that vermicomposting has the potential to improve growth and yield of maize crop. Particularly, application of vermicompost obtained from P. cineraria can be used to improve the growth and yield of maize crop. Nonetheless, field trials are necessary for a wide scale recommendation.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Younas & Huasong Zou & Tasmia Laraib & Waseem Abbas & Muhammad Waqar Akhtar & Muhammad Naveed Aslam & Luqman Amrao & Shoukat Hayat & Tariq Abdul Hamid & Akhtar Hameed & Ghalib Ayaz Kachelo & , 2021. "The influence of vermicomposting on photosynthetic activity and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) crop under semi-arid climate," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(8), pages 1-9, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0256450
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256450
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Esteban F. Durán-Lara & Aly Valderrama & Adolfo Marican, 2020. "Natural Organic Compounds for Application in Organic Farming," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-22, February.
    2. Li, Wenchao & Guo, Shufang & Liu, Hongbin & Zhai, Limei & Wang, Hongyuan & Lei, Qiuliang, 2018. "Comprehensive environmental impacts of fertilizer application vary among different crops: Implications for the adjustment of agricultural structure aimed to reduce fertilizer use," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 1-10.
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    1. Tahsina Sharmin Hoque & Ahmed Khairul Hasan & Md. Arefin Hasan & Nurun Nahar & Debasish Kumer Dey & Shamim Mia & Zakaria M. Solaiman & Md. Abdul Kader, 2022. "Nutrient Release from Vermicompost under Anaerobic Conditions in Two Contrasting Soils of Bangladesh and Its Effect on Wetland Rice Crop," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-17, March.

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