Nutrient content of fermented fertilizers and its efcacy in combination with hydrogel in Zea mays L.

Abstract

Purpose The nutritional content of fermented fertilizers was determined, and the efect of its application in combination with hydrogel was evaluated in a bioassay with maize plants. Methods The fertilizers were produced in artisanal biodigesters and the bioassay was carried out in pots with CP-569 maize. The nutritional content of the fermented fertilizers was evaluated, and in maize plants growth variables were measured, along with N–P–K contents in the aerial and root biomass. Results The types of biol show diferent characteristics for organic matter, N, N–NH4, N–NO3, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and B, as well as physical characteristics. The terms of the bioassay, the treatments with super absorbent polymer (SAP), biol and biol+SAP, showed signifcant statistical diferences in terms of plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves 30 days after emergence. In the dry weight of aerial and root biomass, no statistical diferences were found. In terms of the contents of N–P–K in biomass, statistical diferences were found for P in aerial biomass and K in both aerial and root biomass. Conclusion Due to their physical and chemical properties, biols are an alternative to fertilizers. With the application of biol and SAP, maize plants undergo signifcant increases in height, stem diameter and number of leaves. By applying biol and SAP, the contents of N–P–K were not increased signifcantly in the aerial and root biomasses in comparison to the control.