Effects of Fertilization on Morphological and Physiological Characteristics and Environmental Cost of Maize ( Zea mays L.)

Maria Laskari, Georgios C. Menexes, Ilias Kalfas, Ioannis Gatzolis and Christos Dordas
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Maria Laskari: Laboratory of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Georgios C. Menexes: Laboratory of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Ilias Kalfas: Strategic Project Management Office, American Farm School, 54 Marinou Antypa Street, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Ioannis Gatzolis: Strategic Project Management Office, American Farm School, 54 Marinou Antypa Street, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Christos Dordas: Laboratory of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 14, 1-17

Abstract: Maize ( Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops in the world and fertilization is the most important management practice which contributes to high yield. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different fertilizers on maize crop and their contribution to the carbon footprint. The experiments were conducted in a commercial field in the area of Thessaloniki during the growing seasons of 2019 and 2020. During the experiment a number of physiological and morphological characteristics, and the energy output/input ratio, energy efficiency, and carbon footprint were determined. The results of the experiment showed that the inorganic fertilizers and manure improved the morphological and physiological characteristics that were studied compared to the green manure treatment and the control. In addition, it appeared most of the energy input of maize cultivation is from fertilizers (52%), followed by diesel (25%) and the use of machinery (14%). The treatments with the slow release fertilizers and the manure gave satisfactory results with an average of 42.1 Mg ha −1 in 2019 and 43.6 Mg ha −1 in 2020 for both fertilization treatments. Therefore, it is necessary to use the appropriate fertilizers in order to maintain the productivity of the crop and reduce the environmental costs.

Keywords: nitrogen fertilizer; green manure; manure; energy equivalent; carbon footprint (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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