Integrated Nutrient Management for Sustainable Soil and Crop Productivity (Published)
Sustainable maize farming relies on balanced plant nutrition and healthy soils, especially during critical growth stages. This study assessed the effects of NPKS fertilizers enriched with micronutrients on maize growth, yield, and post-harvest soil conditions in southwestern Nigeria. A randomized complete block design tested five treatments: control, NPKS, NPKS + 0.5% boron, NPKS + 1% zinc, and NPKS + 0.5% Boron + 1% Zinc. Agronomic traits such as plant height stem girth, leaf number, and leaf area was measured weekly over 10 weeks. Post-harvest, soil chemical and physical properties were analyzed. Data were subjected to ANOVA, with mean separation by LSD at p < 0.05. Results showed that micronutrient-enriched NPKS, especially with Zinc and Boron, significantly improved plant growth, nutrient uptake, grain yield, and soil nutrient profiles. These findings highlight the value of targeted micronutrient management for enhancing maize productivity and maintaining long-term soil fertility in maize-based systems.
Keywords: fertilizer enrichment, growth stages, maize cultivation, micronutrient