Improvement of Chemical Fertilizers Efficiency and the Possibility of Reduction of Their Application by Using Bio-fertilizers in the Production of Maize (Zea mays cv. SC704)

In order to evaluation of the possibility of reduction of chemical fertilizer application via their replacement with biofertilizers, a field experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 12 treatments and four replications was coducted at the Research Farm of university of Maragheh during 2013. The first factor (A) was included chemical fertilizer in three levels (a₁: control, without any fertilizer, a₂: application of 150 Kg ha^-1of nitrogen fertilizer and a₃: 75 Kg ha^-1 of nitrogen fertilizer + 50 Kg ha^-1super phosphate triple) and the second factor (B) was biofertilizer in four levels (b1: control, without any biofertilizer, b₂: inoculation by Nitroxin, b3: inoculation by Barvare-2 and b4: inoculation by Nitroxin and Barvare-2). Results revealed that application of chemical and biological fertilizers lead to significant increasing in chlorophyll index, number of kernel per ear, 1000-seed weight, biological and grain yield. In this research, mixed application of Nitroxin and phosphate Barvare-2 was more effective than their single application on yield and yield components of maize. Also application of half rate of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers together with seed inoculation by biofertilizers prepared ideal situation for maize growth. In this mentioned treatment (50% nitrogen fertilizer + 50% super phosphate triple + biofertilizers), environmental hazards could be decreased in order to balanced application of chemical fertilizers. Our findings showed that the biological fertilizers accompanied with chemical fertilizer could increase yield and yield components in maize by the means of enhancement of uptake of nutrients.