Effect of farmyard manure and zinc on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of forage corn (Zea mays)

Janmohammadi, Mohsen; Ebadi-Segherloo, Asghar; Mohebodini, Mehdi; Sabaghnia, Naser

doi:10.22034/aes.2026.551991.1116

Effect of farmyard manure and zinc on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of forage corn (Zea mays)

Document Type : Original research article

Authors

Mohsen Janmohammadi ¹

Asghar Ebadi-Segherloo ²

Mehdi Mohebodini ³

Naser Sabaghnia ¹

¹ Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran

² Moghan College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

³ Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

10.22034/aes.2026.551991.1116

Abstract

The unique climatic features of semi-arid regions, along with inadequate soil quality characterized by low organic matter and deficiencies of essential micronutrients, have led to a forage scarcity in this area. Adding organic soil amendments with organic fertilizers and zinc nanostructured fertilizers can be crucial for boosting fodder yield. A field trial was conducted to investigate the effects of fertilizers (F₀: control, F₁: 30 t ha^-1 farmyard manure, FYM, F₂: 8 t ha^-1 compost, F₃: 8 t ha^-1 vermicompost, F₄: recommended dose of chemical NPK, F₅: 50% recommended dose of NPK + 15 t ha^-1 FYM) and zinc fertilizers (Zn₀: control, Zn₁: 30 kg ha^-1 zinc sulfate, Zn₂: 10 kg ha^-1 nanostructured zinc) on the growth quality performance of forage corn in the Moghan region, northwest Iran. The highest chlorophyll content and longest stems were obtained with the application of F₄+Zn₂. The greatest lateral canopy growth was observed in plants treated with F₂+Zn₂, F₄+Zn₂, and F₅+Zn₂. The highest dry matter and relative water content were achieved with the application of animal manure, conventional fertilizers, and zinc nanostructures. Applying nanostructured zinc fertilizers in addition to NPK, either alone, with FYM, or with compost, produced the maximum fresh forage yield. Analysis of forage quality components showed that the application of NPK with nanostructured zinc fertilizers significantly increased dry matter digestibility (5.67%) and crude protein (4.60%). Vermicompost use without zinc application resulted in the highest levels of water-soluble carbohydrates. The highest amounts of neutral detergent fiber were also obtained with F₁+Zn₀. The response of growth components and forage quality traits to organic fertilizer and zinc sources varied. The optimal quantitative and qualitative characteristics of forage were achieved by applying the recommended rate of NPK and 15 t ha^-1 of FYM fertilizers together with zinc nanostructure fertilizers. The results showed that relying solely on chemical or organic fertilizers for forage corn production does not provide acceptable performance. The combined use of conventional chemical fertilizers and animal manure in forage production systems should be considered.

Highlights

· Organic soil amendment is essential in the semi-arid region under study.

· Although organic fertilizers increase yield, the combined use of animal and chemical fertilizers is preferable.

· The effectiveness of zinc micronutrient fertilizers was more evident after improving soil conditions.

· Nanostructured zinc fertilizers, along with the combined use of animal manure and NPK resulted in the best forage quality of corn.

Keywords

Crude protein

Dry matter

Farmyard manure

Nanostructured zinc

Relative water content

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