**3. Results and discussion**

#### **3.1 Biological and grain yield as influenced by organic and inorganic N with BM**

Beneficial microbes significantly influenced biological yield (**Table 2**). Highest biological yield (11,708 kg ha�<sup>1</sup> ) has been observed with the application of


*Enhancing Soil Properties and Maize Yield through Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92032*

#### **Table 2.**

distances for maize crop were 0.70 m, whereas plant-to-plant distances were 0.20 m. Each plot had six rows. There were 30 plots having treatment combination of two beneficial diazotrophic bacteria and five organic and inorganic source ratios.

Biological yield data was recorded by harvesting four central rows in each plot, sundried and weighed by electronic balance whereas harvested central rows were threshed individually through electric thresher and weighed through electronic balance to obtain grain yield and then converted into kg ha�<sup>1</sup> by the following formula:

Organic matter in soil was determined by the modified method of Nelson and [25]. The nitrogen content in soil, stover, and grains were determined by following

The data recorded was analyzed statistically using analysis of variance techniques appropriate for randomized complete block design. Statistical analysis was done with Statistic-X software. Means were compared using LSD test at 0.05 level of probability, when the F-values was significant [27]. The possible interactions

**3.1 Biological and grain yield as influenced by organic and inorganic N with BM**

Beneficial microbes significantly influenced biological yield (**Table 2**). Highest

) has been observed with the application of

Kjeldahl method according to the proposed methodology of Bremner and

row � row distance mð Þ� row length mð Þ� no*:*of rows � 10, 000

(1)

Grain yield kg ha�<sup>1</sup> <sup>¼</sup> grain yield in four central rows

*Weather data of spring maize growing season from March to June, 2014.*

were graphically made using a software of Microsoft Excel 365.

**2.4 Observations recorded**

*Sustainable Crop Production*

**Figure 2.**

Mulvaney [26].

**2.5 Statistical analysis**

**3. Results and discussion**

biological yield (11,708 kg ha�<sup>1</sup>

**168**

*Biological yield and grain yield of spring maize and soil organic matter and soil bulk density as influenced by beneficial microbes and organic and inorganic ratios.*

beneficial diazotrophic bacteria as compared to without beneficial microbes. This may be due to diazotrophic bacteria increase the speed of decomposition and mineralization that improve nutrients' availability to the crop and total dry matter production [28]. Similarly, the application of organic and inorganic fertilizers also significantly affects the biological yield, and greater biological yield (12,092 kg ha<sup>1</sup> ) was achieved with the application of 50:50 N ratio of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Lower biological yield (10,961 kg ha<sup>1</sup> ) was attained with the application of 100% N from inorganic source. It might be due to the reason that nitrogen from organic sources are slow release, while inorganic nitrogen is readily available to plant which may not be available at later stages. The combined application of N from inorganic source (urea) and organic source in a ratio of 75:25 improved grain yield, straw yield, and biological yield, whereas 50:50 N ratio increased uptake of nitrogen [29]. Biological and grain yield was significantly improved with the application of 50% nitrogen from inorganic sources in combination with the application of 25% N from FYM and 25% N from poultry manure [30]. The applications of organic and inorganic N fertilizers significantly enhanced biological yield and grain yield [31, 32]. The application of organic and inorganic nitrogen 50% from urea and 50% from FYM or 50% poultry manure significantly enhanced biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index (%) [28].

The graph trend showed that biological yield increased with organic and inorganic nitrogen ratio from 0:100 to 50:50, whereas a decreased trend in biological yield was observed from 50:50 to 100:0 with both beneficial microbes (**Figure 3**). This might be due to the fact that beneficial microbes rapidly decomposed organic matter, provided nutrients, and increased availability of nitrogen from both organic and inorganic sources [28].

Beneficial diazotrophic bacteria significantly increased the grain yield (**Table 2**). Highest grain yield (3803 kg ha<sup>1</sup> ) has been noted with the application of beneficial microbes as compared to without beneficial microbes. This may be due to the reason that beneficial microbes increase decomposition and mineralization and improve nutrients availability for more total dry matter production [28].

**Figure 3.** *Biological yield as affected by beneficial microbes and organic and inorganic ratios.*

Organic and inorganic fertilizer significantly influenced grain yield, and higher grain yield (3907 kg ha<sup>1</sup> ) was achieved with the application of 50:50 N organic and inorganic ratio, whereas lower grain yield (3592 kg ha<sup>1</sup> ) was observed with the application of 100% N from inorganic. It might be due to the reason that N from organic sources is slow release, whereas inorganic nitrogen is readily available to plant that may function in vegetative growth. The application of organic and inorganic N with a ratio of 75:25 prominently improved yield and yield indices, whereas a 50:50 ratio increases nitrogen uptake [29]. Biological and grain yield was significantly higher with the application of 50% nitrogen from inorganic sources with the application of 25% N from FYM and 25% N from poultry manure [30]. The application from organic and inorganic N fertilizer significantly influenced biological yield and grain yield [31, 32]. The application of organic and inorganic nitrogen 50% from urea and 50% from FYM or 50% poultry manure significantly enhanced biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index % [28].

100% from organic sources, and beneficial microbes rapidly decomposed organic

microbes as compared to with beneficial microbes (**Table 2**). This may be due to beneficial microbes increase the speed of decomposition and increase mineralization and provide nutrients, thus decreasing bulk density; these results are in line with Muhammad et al. [28]. Organic and inorganic ratios significantly affected soil

0:100 ratio of organic and inorganic, whereas less soil bulk density (1.09 g cm<sup>3</sup>

The graph trend showed that soil organic matter increased linearly with the increased of organic and inorganic ratio from 0:100 to 100:0 in both beneficial and without beneficial microbes (**Figure 5**). This might be due to organic matter was

was determined by the application of 100% of organic. It might be due to the integration of organic and inorganic fertilizer which improved soil bulk density. Bulk density decreased with the application of FYM and poultry manure to soil [38]. Bulk density linearly decreased with soil organic matter [34]. The integration of organic with inorganic fertilizer significantly decreased bulk density of soil [35, 36]. Beneficial diazotrophic bacteria significantly affected soil nitrogen content (**Table 3**). Highest soil nitrogen content (0.39%) has been received with the application of beneficial microbes as compared to without beneficial microbes. It may be due to beneficial microbe increases the speed of decomposition and increases mineralization and provides nutrients, thus more nitrogen in soil; these results are in line with Muhammad et al. [28]. Organic and inorganic ratios significantly affected soil nitrogen content. More soil nitrogen content (0.47%) was achieved with the application of 50:50 ratio of organic and inorganic, whereas less soil nitrogen content (0.24%) was recorded by the application of 100% from inorganic. It might be due to the decomposition of organic matter is slow and the slow release of nutrients; therefore, plots of organic sources have higher N, P, and K than plots having inorganic fertilizer. Organic sources improved soil nutrient and organic carbon [37]. Soil mineral nitrogen increased (22.4%) with the addition of organic fertilizers like FYM, poultry, and legume residues [39]. For better crop growth and sustainability, addition of organic matter is best source of nutrient availability [34]. The integration of organic with inorganic fertilizer significantly improved crop production and

Beneficial microbes significantly affected soil bulk density as highest soil bulk

) has been perceived without the application of beneficial

) was recorded with the application of a

)

matter, thus increasing mineralization and soil organic matter [28].

*Soil organic matter as affected by beneficial microbes and organic and inorganic ratios.*

*Enhancing Soil Properties and Maize Yield through Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen…*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92032*

density (1.19 g cm<sup>3</sup>

**Figure 4.**

**171**

bulk density. Soil bulk density (1.23 g cm<sup>3</sup>

N, P, K, soil pH, soil EC, and organic matter [35, 36].

#### **3.2 Soil nitrogen analysis as influenced by organic and inorganic N with BM**

Beneficial microbes significantly affected soil organic matter (**Table 2**). Highest soil organic matter (1.19%) has been perceived with the application of beneficial microbes as compared to without diazotrophic bacteria. This may be due to the beneficial microbe increases the speed of decomposition and increase mineralization and produced more exudes [28]. Organic and inorganic ratios significantly affected soil organic matter. More soil organic matter (1.22%) was achieved with the application of a 100:0 ratio of organic and inorganic fertilizer, whereas less soil organic matter (0.87%) was perceived by the application of 100% from inorganic fertilizer. It might be due to beneficial microbe rate of decomposition of organic fertilizer which improves soil organic matter and soil organic carbon. The combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers improved soil organic matter and total nitrogen [33]. Organic manure linearly increased soil organic matter [34]. The integration of organic with inorganic fertilizer significantly improved crop production and N, P, K, soil pH, soil EC, and organic matter [35, 36]. Organic sources improved soil nutrient, soil organic matter, and soil organic carbon [37]. The graph trend showed that soil organic matter increased linearly with the increased of organic and inorganic ratio from 0:100 to 100:0 in both beneficial and without beneficial microbes (**Figure 4**). This might be due to organic matter was applied

*Enhancing Soil Properties and Maize Yield through Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92032*

**Figure 4.** *Soil organic matter as affected by beneficial microbes and organic and inorganic ratios.*

100% from organic sources, and beneficial microbes rapidly decomposed organic matter, thus increasing mineralization and soil organic matter [28].

Beneficial microbes significantly affected soil bulk density as highest soil bulk density (1.19 g cm<sup>3</sup> ) has been perceived without the application of beneficial microbes as compared to with beneficial microbes (**Table 2**). This may be due to beneficial microbes increase the speed of decomposition and increase mineralization and provide nutrients, thus decreasing bulk density; these results are in line with Muhammad et al. [28]. Organic and inorganic ratios significantly affected soil bulk density. Soil bulk density (1.23 g cm<sup>3</sup> ) was recorded with the application of a 0:100 ratio of organic and inorganic, whereas less soil bulk density (1.09 g cm<sup>3</sup> ) was determined by the application of 100% of organic. It might be due to the integration of organic and inorganic fertilizer which improved soil bulk density. Bulk density decreased with the application of FYM and poultry manure to soil [38]. Bulk density linearly decreased with soil organic matter [34]. The integration of organic with inorganic fertilizer significantly decreased bulk density of soil [35, 36].

Beneficial diazotrophic bacteria significantly affected soil nitrogen content (**Table 3**). Highest soil nitrogen content (0.39%) has been received with the application of beneficial microbes as compared to without beneficial microbes. It may be due to beneficial microbe increases the speed of decomposition and increases mineralization and provides nutrients, thus more nitrogen in soil; these results are in line with Muhammad et al. [28]. Organic and inorganic ratios significantly affected soil nitrogen content. More soil nitrogen content (0.47%) was achieved with the application of 50:50 ratio of organic and inorganic, whereas less soil nitrogen content (0.24%) was recorded by the application of 100% from inorganic. It might be due to the decomposition of organic matter is slow and the slow release of nutrients; therefore, plots of organic sources have higher N, P, and K than plots having inorganic fertilizer. Organic sources improved soil nutrient and organic carbon [37]. Soil mineral nitrogen increased (22.4%) with the addition of organic fertilizers like FYM, poultry, and legume residues [39]. For better crop growth and sustainability, addition of organic matter is best source of nutrient availability [34]. The integration of organic with inorganic fertilizer significantly improved crop production and N, P, K, soil pH, soil EC, and organic matter [35, 36].

The graph trend showed that soil organic matter increased linearly with the increased of organic and inorganic ratio from 0:100 to 100:0 in both beneficial and without beneficial microbes (**Figure 5**). This might be due to organic matter was

Organic and inorganic fertilizer significantly influenced grain yield, and higher

application of 100% N from inorganic. It might be due to the reason that N from organic sources is slow release, whereas inorganic nitrogen is readily available to plant that may function in vegetative growth. The application of organic and inorganic N with a ratio of 75:25 prominently improved yield and yield indices, whereas a 50:50 ratio increases nitrogen uptake [29]. Biological and grain yield was significantly higher with the application of 50% nitrogen from inorganic sources with the application of 25% N from FYM and 25% N from poultry manure [30]. The application from organic and inorganic N fertilizer significantly influenced biological yield and grain yield [31, 32]. The application of organic and inorganic nitrogen 50% from urea and 50% from FYM or 50% poultry manure significantly enhanced

**3.2 Soil nitrogen analysis as influenced by organic and inorganic N with BM**

Beneficial microbes significantly affected soil organic matter (**Table 2**). Highest soil organic matter (1.19%) has been perceived with the application of beneficial microbes as compared to without diazotrophic bacteria. This may be due to the beneficial microbe increases the speed of decomposition and increase mineralization and produced more exudes [28]. Organic and inorganic ratios significantly affected soil organic matter. More soil organic matter (1.22%) was achieved with the application of a 100:0 ratio of organic and inorganic fertilizer, whereas less soil organic matter (0.87%) was perceived by the application of 100% from inorganic fertilizer. It might be due to beneficial microbe rate of decomposition of organic fertilizer which improves soil organic matter and soil organic carbon. The combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers improved soil organic matter and total nitrogen [33]. Organic manure linearly increased soil organic matter [34]. The integration of organic with inorganic fertilizer significantly improved crop production and N, P, K, soil pH, soil EC, and organic matter [35, 36]. Organic sources improved soil nutrient, soil organic matter, and soil organic carbon [37]. The graph trend showed that soil organic matter increased linearly with the increased of organic and inorganic ratio from 0:100 to 100:0 in both beneficial and without beneficial microbes (**Figure 4**). This might be due to organic matter was applied

inorganic ratio, whereas lower grain yield (3592 kg ha<sup>1</sup>

*Biological yield as affected by beneficial microbes and organic and inorganic ratios.*

biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index % [28].

) was achieved with the application of 50:50 N organic and

) was observed with the

grain yield (3907 kg ha<sup>1</sup>

*Sustainable Crop Production*

**Figure 3.**

**170**


*Mean values of the different categories in each column with different letters discloses significant differences (p* ≤ *0.05) using LSD test.*

production [28]. Our results indicated that organic and inorganic N ratios significantly influenced N stover content in maize crop. The application of a 50:50 ratio of organic and inorganic nitrogen resulted in higher stover N content (1.11%), whereas lower stover nitrogen content (0.89%) was attained with the application of 100% N from inorganic source. It might be due to the reason that inorganic fertilizer was quickly available, while organic fertilizer was slowly available to crop. The N, P, and K concentration in straw was significantly increased with the combined application

*Grain nitrogen content as affected by beneficial microbes and organic and inorganic ratios.*

*Enhancing Soil Properties and Maize Yield through Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen…*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92032*

of 10 t N ha<sup>1</sup> from poultry manure (PM) and 200 kg N ha<sup>1</sup> from NPK as

uptake of N, P, and K [44, 45].

**Figure 6.**

sources [28].

**173**

compared to control [40]. N, P, and K uptake by straw and grains was significantly influenced by organic and inorganic fertilizer [41–43]. The application of chemical fertilizers, FYM, green manures, and compost to the soil resulted in improved

Beneficial diazotrophic bacteria significantly increase grain nitrogen content (**Table 3**). Highest grain nitrogen content (1.91%) has been perceived with the application of beneficial microbes as compared to without beneficial microbes. This may be due to beneficial microbes increase the speed of decomposition and increase mineralization, and more nitrogen content was transferred to grain [28]. Organic and inorganic ratios significantly improved grain nitrogen content, and higher grain nitrogen content (2.01%) was achieved with the application of a 50:50 organic and inorganic N ratio, whereas less grain nitrogen content (1.56%) was achieved with the application of 100% inorganic fertilizer. It may be due to the quick availability of inorganic fertilizer, whereas organic fertilizer is slowly available to the crop. Nitrogen and phosphorus are higher in grains than straw, while potassium content was higher in straw as compared to grains. N, P, and K content was significantly improved by organic fertilizer both in straw and grain [46]. Growth, yield, and NPK concentrations were significantly increased with integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers [3]. Macro- and micronutrients in the grains and straw of wheat were significantly improved with the application of FYM as inorganic N fertilizer [47]. Higher N, P, and K uptake by crop was observed with organic N sources [48]. The graph showed that grain nitrogen increased with organic and inorganic N ratio from 0:100 to 50:50. This trend was declined with N ratio from 50:50 to 100:0 for both beneficial microbes (**Figure 6**). This might be due to the reason that beneficial microbes rapidly decomposed organic matter, provided nutrients, and also increased availability of nitrogen from both organic and inorganic

#### **Table 3.**

*Soil nitrogen content, stover, and grain nitrogen content of spring maize as influenced by beneficial microbes and organic and inorganic ratios.*

**Figure 5.** *Soil nitrogen content as affected by beneficial microbes and organic and inorganic ratios.*

applied 100% from organic sources, and beneficial microbes rapidly decomposed organic matter, thus increasing mineralization and soil organic matter [28].

#### **3.3 Plant nitrogen analysis as influenced by organic and inorganic N with BM**

Beneficial diazotrophic bacteria significantly affected stover nitrogen content (**Table 3**). Highest stover nitrogen content (1.1%) has been perceived with the application of beneficial microbes as compared to without beneficial microbes. It can be due to beneficial microbes increase the speed of decomposition and increase mineralization and provide nutrients for crop to achieved more total nutrient

*Enhancing Soil Properties and Maize Yield through Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92032*

**Figure 6.** *Grain nitrogen content as affected by beneficial microbes and organic and inorganic ratios.*

production [28]. Our results indicated that organic and inorganic N ratios significantly influenced N stover content in maize crop. The application of a 50:50 ratio of organic and inorganic nitrogen resulted in higher stover N content (1.11%), whereas lower stover nitrogen content (0.89%) was attained with the application of 100% N from inorganic source. It might be due to the reason that inorganic fertilizer was quickly available, while organic fertilizer was slowly available to crop. The N, P, and K concentration in straw was significantly increased with the combined application of 10 t N ha<sup>1</sup> from poultry manure (PM) and 200 kg N ha<sup>1</sup> from NPK as compared to control [40]. N, P, and K uptake by straw and grains was significantly influenced by organic and inorganic fertilizer [41–43]. The application of chemical fertilizers, FYM, green manures, and compost to the soil resulted in improved uptake of N, P, and K [44, 45].

Beneficial diazotrophic bacteria significantly increase grain nitrogen content (**Table 3**). Highest grain nitrogen content (1.91%) has been perceived with the application of beneficial microbes as compared to without beneficial microbes. This may be due to beneficial microbes increase the speed of decomposition and increase mineralization, and more nitrogen content was transferred to grain [28]. Organic and inorganic ratios significantly improved grain nitrogen content, and higher grain nitrogen content (2.01%) was achieved with the application of a 50:50 organic and inorganic N ratio, whereas less grain nitrogen content (1.56%) was achieved with the application of 100% inorganic fertilizer. It may be due to the quick availability of inorganic fertilizer, whereas organic fertilizer is slowly available to the crop. Nitrogen and phosphorus are higher in grains than straw, while potassium content was higher in straw as compared to grains. N, P, and K content was significantly improved by organic fertilizer both in straw and grain [46]. Growth, yield, and NPK concentrations were significantly increased with integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers [3]. Macro- and micronutrients in the grains and straw of wheat were significantly improved with the application of FYM as inorganic N fertilizer [47]. Higher N, P, and K uptake by crop was observed with organic N sources [48].

The graph showed that grain nitrogen increased with organic and inorganic N ratio from 0:100 to 50:50. This trend was declined with N ratio from 50:50 to 100:0 for both beneficial microbes (**Figure 6**). This might be due to the reason that beneficial microbes rapidly decomposed organic matter, provided nutrients, and also increased availability of nitrogen from both organic and inorganic sources [28].

applied 100% from organic sources, and beneficial microbes rapidly decomposed organic matter, thus increasing mineralization and soil organic matter [28].

*Soil nitrogen content as affected by beneficial microbes and organic and inorganic ratios.*

**Beneficial microbes**

Interaction

*using LSD test.*

*and organic and inorganic ratios.*

**Table 3.**

**Figure 5.**

**172**

Organic and inorganic ratios

*Sustainable Crop Production*

**Soil nitrogen content (%)**

Without BM 0.34 b 0.88 b 1.74 b With BM 0.39 a 1.10 a 1.91 a LSD 0.01 0.08 0.01

0:100 0.24 e 0.89 b 1.56 c 25:75 0.30 d 0.98 ab 1.81 b 50:50 0.38 c 1.11 a 2.01 a 75:25 0.44 b 0.99 ab 1.97 ab 100: 0 0.47 a 0.98 ab 1.78 b LSD 0.02 0.13 0.16

BM R **Figure 5** ns **Figure 6**

*Mean values of the different categories in each column with different letters discloses significant differences (p* ≤ *0.05)*

*Soil nitrogen content, stover, and grain nitrogen content of spring maize as influenced by beneficial microbes*

**Stover nitrogen content (%)**

**Grain nitrogen content (%)**

**3.3 Plant nitrogen analysis as influenced by organic and inorganic N with BM**

Beneficial diazotrophic bacteria significantly affected stover nitrogen content (**Table 3**). Highest stover nitrogen content (1.1%) has been perceived with the application of beneficial microbes as compared to without beneficial microbes. It can be due to beneficial microbes increase the speed of decomposition and increase mineralization and provide nutrients for crop to achieved more total nutrient
