COMBINED EFFECT OF FERTILIZERS AND DIATOMACEOUS EARTH ON YIELD AND YIELD ATTRIBUTES OF MAIZE IN TYPIC HAPLUSTEPTES

The effect of combined application of fertilizers and diatomaceous earth on yield and yield attributes of maize was investigated in Typic Haplusteptes in 2022 and 2023, in order to provide support for using diatomaceous earth to improve the efficiencies of fertilizers in this area.A split plot field experiment was conducted continually in two years with four levels of fertilizers (control, 50, 75 and 100% RDF) in main plots and four levels of diatomaceous earth (control, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha -1 ).The dry matter accumulation, cob weight, shelling percentage and yield of maize were investigated at harvest.Application of 100% RDF with 300 kg DE ha -1 (F 100 Si 300 ) was recorded highest plant dry matter accumulation (254.7 g plant -1 ), cob weight (258.6 g cob -1 ), shelling percentage (77.50%),grain yield (5808 kg ha -1 ), stover yield (8391 kg ha -1 ) and biological yield (14199 kg ha -1 ) of maize.Combined application of fertilizers and diatomaceous earth (DE) could significantly improve the nutrient supply of soil during growth stage, increase yield attributes and yield of maize.So the combined application of fertilizers and diatomaceous earth effectively increases yield attributes and yield in Typic Haplustepts.