Sustainable maize production through organic amendments: Evaluating growth performance and environmental impact

The current study investigates the impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Organic amendments such as farmyard manure (FYM) and composted press mud, as well as inorganic fertilizers, were applied across various treatments to evaluate their effects on plant height, leaf production, chlorophyll content (SPAD values), leaf area index (LAI) and GHG emissions and carbon dioxide (CO?). The experiment was conducted for one crop season (September to December 2023) using a Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) in Tamil Nadu, with static chamber methods employed to measure GHG emissions. The results demonstrated that treatments involving organic inputs significantly enhanced maize growth compared to inorganic fertilizers. N9 (T3 + 5 t Composted Pressmud) consistently recorded the highest plant height, leaf count and LAI, while the control (T1) had the lowest values. Organic amendments also showed reduced GHG emissions under rain-saturated conditions, although methane emissions were higher due to the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. The study concludes that integrating organic fertilizers improves soil health and crop productivity while reducing GHG emissions, but careful management is needed to mitigate methane emissions in wet conditions. These findings support the adoption of organic inputs as part of sustainable agricultural practices to enhance productivity and environmental outcomes.