Nitrogen-fixing bacteria inoculation and nitrogen fertilization increase yield and economic gain of corn in an alley cropping system

Issue Date

2012

Abstract

The study determined the effect of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Azospirillum) with brand name Bio N on the yield of corn in an alley-cropping system and the effects of inoculation and the cropping system on the biological and chemical properties of the soil. The study also looked into the economic analysis of the treatments. The results showed corn yield was significantly affected by the inoculation with Bio N and is profitable in the absence of inorganic inputs. This response could be due to the fact that the organic matter needed by the microbial inoculant to fix atmospheric nitrogen was supplied by the hedgerow crop species. Soil pH, soil organic matter, %N, available phosphorous and exchangeable potassium were not significantly affected by inoculation of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Microbial count showed that actinomycetes and bacterial population in the inoculated plots increased the population of bacteria. The fungal population slightly decreased in all treatments after the study . The economic analysis showed that corn inoculated all treatments after the study. The economic analysis showed that corn inoculated with Bio N had the highest income of P132,660/ha.

Source or Periodical Title

Ecosystem & Development Journal: A Journal on Tropical Forests and Natural Resources

ISSN

2012-3612

Volume

3

Issue

1

Page

44-50

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

tables

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

GLIRICIDIA; ALLEY CROPPING; AGROFORESTRY; NITROGEN FIXATION; NITROGEN FERTILIZATION

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