**7. Conclusions**

when grown alone in mono-cropping or inter-cropped with common bean. The land equivalent ratio (LER) was higher in plots treated with compost than without compost-treated plots.

Biofertilizers (beneficial microbes) are known to play many vital roles in soil fertility, crop productivity, and profitability. Beneficial microbes reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and thereby reduce environmental pollution caused by chemical fertilizers. Beneficial microbes reduce cost of production and so increase grower's income and profitability [40]. Our recent publications [1, 10, 16] indicated significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences in growth, yield components, yield, and harvest index between the seeds treated with PSB (+) and without PSB (−). Amanullah and Khan [16] conducted field trial to study the effects of P levels, compost application times, and seed inoculation with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on the yield and yield components of maize (*Zea mays* L., cv. Azam). Maize seed inoculated with PSB (+) had tremendously increased yield and yield components of maize over PSB-control plots (−). Amanullah and Khalid [10] conducted field experiment to investigate impact of P levels (40,

and without (−) phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on phenological development, growth, and biomass yield of hybrid maize "CS-200." The plots with PSB (+) produced significantly taller plants with higher mean single leaf area and leaf area index and produced the highest biomass yield. Amanullah and Khalid [1] conducted a field trial to investigate the impact of the integrated use of different animal manures and phosphorus levels on yield and yield components of hybrid maize (CS-200) with (+) and without (−) phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Maize seeds treated with PSB (+) before sowing had produced higher yield and yield components than untreated seeds (−). We concluded from this study that combined application of 160 kg P ha−<sup>1</sup> + poultry manure + seed treatment with PSB (+) could improve

The basic concept underlying integrated nutrient management (INM) is the maintenance and possible improvement in soil health for sustained crop productivity and sustainability. Amanullah

(45 cm) could improve spring maize yield and yield-contributing traits. Amanullah et al. [9] reported that application of the highest level of sulfur at 40 kg S ha−<sup>1</sup> + N level at 160 kg N ha−<sup>1</sup> increased maize productivity. Amanullah and Khan [16] reported that compost applied at sow-

bacteria) tremendously increased yield and yield components of maize. Application of 120 kg P ha−<sup>1</sup> + poultry manure along with seed treatment with PSB improved growth and total biomass [10] and increased yield and yield components of maize [1]. According to Iqbal et al. [14],

) and animal manures (poultry, cattle, and sheep manures) with (+)

under deep tillage system

) + PSB (phosphate-solubilizing

in two equal splits (50% at sowing +50% at V9

) could improve number and area of leaves, dry matter

**5. Maize response to biofertilizers (beneficial microbes)**

8 Corn - Production and Human Health in Changing Climate

corn productivity and profitability under semiarid condition.

**6. Maize response to integrated nutrient management**

et al. [7] reported that application of 120 kg N ha−<sup>1</sup> + 2 t compost ha−<sup>1</sup>

ing time + P applied at the two higher rates (75 and 100 kg P ha−<sup>1</sup>

application of K at the highest rate of 90 kg ha−<sup>1</sup>

stage) along with cattle dung (5 t ha−<sup>1</sup>

80, 120, and 160 kg P ha−<sup>1</sup>

Soil fertility and corn productivity are continuously declining due to the removal of essential plant nutrients from the soils. The deficiencies of essential plant nutrients, organic matter, and beneficial soil microbes in soils had negative impact on soil fertility, corn productivity, and grower's income that have increased the problem of food insecurity globally. Best management practices including the proper use of plant nutrients increase (1) soil fertility and health, (2) yield per unit area, and (3) grower's income (profitability). Our long-term field experiments on maize crop indicated that a significant increase in yield per unit area occurred with integrated nutrient management (combined use of chemical fertilizers + organic fertilizers + biofertilizers). The integrated use of major plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash) along with different organic carbon sources (animal manures and plant residues) plus biofertilizers (beneficial microbes) significantly improves maize growth, yield and yield components, and grower's income.
