Wei Wang , Shanjun Zhu , Jinhua Cheng

Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Field Crop, 2024, Vol. 7, No. 4   
Received: 13 Jun., 2024    Accepted: 24 Jul., 2024    Published: 17 Aug., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The role of mineral fertilizers in enhancing the nutritional value of maize has been extensively studied, with a focus on optimizing nutrient management practices to improve crop yield and quality. This study synthesizes findings from various studies to evaluate the impact of different fertilization strategies, including the use of mineral fertilizers alone and in combination with organic amendments such as compost, biochar, and manure. This study highlights that integrated nutrient management practices, particularly those combining mineral fertilizers with organic amendments, significantly enhance soil organic carbon content, nutrient use efficiency, and maize grain nutritional quality. For instance, long-term fertilization with manure combined with mineral fertilizers has been shown to improve soil organic carbon sequestration and maize yield. Similarly, the addition of biochar and compost with mineral fertilizers enhances nitrogen use efficiency and maize yield under water deficit conditions. The combined application of organic and mineral fertilizers also increases the concentration of essential minerals like iron and manganese in maize grains. Moreover, the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in conjunction with reduced mineral fertilizer rates can maintain high maize yields while improving soil nutrient availability. Overall, the findings suggest that integrated fertilization strategies are effective in enhancing the nutritional value of maize, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and improving soil health.

Mineral fertilizers; Maize nutritional value; Organic amendments; Nutrient use efficiency; Soil health