Respuesta del cultivo de maíz, como forraje, a diferentes dosis de aplicación de materia organica, en el cantón Machala

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) is crucial worldwide for its versatility and role in human and animal nutrition, as well as in industry. It is an essential source of calories and nutrients, playing a vital role in global food security. The incorporation of organic matter (OM), such as organic fertilizer, in modern agriculture has proven to be beneficial, improving soil quality, increasing water retention and providing nutrients that promote the growth of crops such as corn. In Latin America, corn is essential in both agriculture and culture, and countries such as Mexico, Brazil and Argentina are adopting the use of OM and other organic fertilizers to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. In Ecuador, corn is especially important in provinces like El Oro, where it is a significant source of income and food. In the Machala canton, research on the use of OM in corn production seeks to identify the potential benefits of this practice. The application of OM can improve soil structure and fertility, increase crop yields, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. However, OM shortages and soil degradation, exacerbated by intensive agricultural practices and the use of chemical fertilizers, have reduced soil fertility and the ability of plants to absorb nutrients, resulting in lower yields and less resilient soils. The study factor was the application of organic matter to the corn crop for forage, with five treatments and 5 repetitions, a 5x5 Latin square experimental design was used to identify possible statistical differences of the different treatments. The variables evaluated were stem diameter, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, weight of fresh and dry biomass of corn. The incorporation of organic matter at different doses 1) Control, 2) 10 t/ha, 3) 15t/ha, 4) 20 t/ha 5) 25t/ha. The results highlight the need to identify the ideal amount of organic matter (OM) that maximizes benefits without negatively impacting the environment or increasing production costs. The application of 20 tons per hectare proved to be particularly efficient in various parameters analyzed, while the dose of 25 tons per hectare also offered notable positive results, but it could be clearly observed that at 20 t/ha what is called “consumption of flow”, no progress was noted since that is the exact amount where the corn can make the most of the nutrients.