Raw and treated “nejayote” were assessed as foliar and edaphic fertilisers for native blue maize ( Zea mays L.) crops in the municipality of Amozoc de Mota, Puebla, Mexico, during the 2015 agricultural cycle. Treated nejayote refers to raw nejayote subjected to a coagulation-flocculation process. Two states of nejayote were established (raw and treated nejayote) with different physicochemical properties. Foliar bio-fertilisers were prepared from raw and treated nejayote and mixed with organic matter (OM) to promote a fermentation process. The foliar treatments used were: BNC5, BNC15, BNC30 (raw nejayote-based bio-fertiliser at 5%, 15%, and 30%), BNCQ5, and NCQ30 (nejayote treated by chemical coagulation at 5% and 30%), with BT as a control (traditional bio-fertiliser). The edaphic treatments used were: NC50, NC75, and NC100 (raw nejayote at 50%, 75%, 100%), with AP as a control (drinking water), thus giving rise to 10 treatments in terms of content of raw or treated nejayote. Foliar and edaphic field treatments applied to native blue maize crops were statistically assessed using the following response variables: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and grain yield. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with five replications of each treatment. The results obtained showed, that foliar or edaphic application at the different stages of development did not produce statistically significant differences, at P ≤ 0.05, in terms of response variables. The most significant effects occurred at the early stage of plant development and were mainly reflected in the stem diameter with foliar treatment NCQ30 and in the number of leaves with foliar treatment BNC5. At the final stage of crop development, the highest yield (0.639 ± 0.121 t·ha -1) was obtained with treatment BNC5, which produced a statistically significant difference (b) in relation to the rest of the foliar and edaphic treatments (Tukey P ≤ 0.05).
The nixtamalisation process is a fundamental stage in the elaboration of the “tortilla”, involving the alkaline cooking of maize grains. According to Cortés et al. (2005) [
Nejayote (or residual water from the nixtamalisation process) used in this work was collected from a nixtamal grinder in the municipality of Amozoc de Mota, Puebla, Mexico. Nejayote was stored in 20-L plastic containers and kept refrigerated at 4˚C throughout the experimental work. Raw nejayote and nejayote treated by coagulation-flocculation were characterised following these physicochemical parameters: pH, electric conductivity, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), total colour, turbidity, total solids (TS), OM, and content elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc). The pH level and electric conductivity were determined with a Conductronic PC 16 potentiometer. Furthermore, COD, colour, and turbidity were determined with a Merck 118 photometer. TS and OM were determined with a Thermolyn® Benchtop muffle, and total nitrogen was determined with a Kjeldahl of block SEV® digester. Phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer AANALYST 200).
Treated nejayote was obtained from raw nejayote subjected to a coagulation-flocculation process with the Südflock® P-63 coagulant (alkali-activated aluminosilicate) and the Sumex Biofloc® A-01 flocculent (polyacrylamide, anionic polymer). This process reduced the organic content, colour, and turbidity with respect to raw nejayote. The coagulation-flocculation process applied to raw nejayote was previously studied in terms of pH, coagulant (Südflock® P-63) and flocculent dose (Sumex Biofloc® A-01) in a jar tester SEV® AM-3 with multiple agitators. Both the coagulant and the flocculent were provided by Süd-Chemie de México S.A. de C.V. The statistical analysis of the experimental data on the coagulation-flocculation process obtained with respect to pH, coagulant (Südflock® P-63) and flocculent concentration (Sumex Biofloc® A-01) allowed selecting the conditions of the coagulation-flocculation treatment to reduce the turbidity, colour, and COD with respect to raw nejayote. These conditions were established with the following parameters: pH = 9; 0.20 × 10−3 g∙L−1 flocculent (Sumex Biofloc® A-01), and 7.5 to 11.5 g∙L−1 coagulant (Südflock® P-63).
Bio-fertilisers were labelled as follows: BT, for a traditional bio-fertiliser with drinking water as a control; BNCQ, for a bio-fertiliser from nejayote treated by a coagulation- flocculation process; and BNC, for a bio-fertiliser from raw nejayote. BT is constituted by 19.20 L of drinking water, 11.00 kg of manure, 0.28 kg of ash, 1.10 kg of molasses, 6.60 L of milk serum, 0.70 kg of alfalfa leaves (Medicago sativa), 0.70 kg of xicalote leaves (Argemone mexicana), 0.11 kg of yeast, and 0.28 L of male human urine. The preparation process was as follows: 19.20 L of drinking water (for BT) or raw nejayote (for BNC) or nejayote treated by coagulation (for BNCQ) was added into a container. Then, we incorporated into the water 11.00 kg of manure, 0.28 kg of ash, 1.10 kg of molasses, 6.60 L of milk serum, 0.70 kg of alfalfa leaves (Medicago sativa), 0.70 kg of xicalote leaves (Argemone mexicana), 0.11 kg of yeast, and 0.28 L of male human urine. All these ingredients were mixed until a homogeneous product was obtained. Then, bio-fertilisers were placed in 20-L biodigesters and were hermetically sealed. Each biodigester was connected to a bottle containing 0.30 L of drinking water, to dissolve the CO2 produced by fermentation. The mixture was allowed to ferment for 60 days. During this fermentation process, 0.83 L of serum and 0.55 L of molasses were added to each biodigester on four occasions (every 72 h). The biodigesters were kept in a cool and dry place throughout the fermentation stage. The total number of bio-fertilisers prepared is shown in
The bio-fertilisers for edaphic application were prepared with raw nejayote (NC) at different percentages of dilution. The total number of bio-fertilisers prepared from raw nejayote is shown in
Number | Bio-fertilisers | Treatments | Dilution | Symbol |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Foliar | Control: Traditional bio-fertiliser | 5% | BT5 |
2 | Foliar | Bio-fertiliser from raw nejayote | 5% | BNC5 |
3 | Foliar | Bio-fertiliser from raw nejayote | 15% | BNC15 |
4 | Foliar | Bio-fertiliser from raw nejayote | 30% | BNC30 |
5 | Foliar | Bio-fertiliser from nejayote treated by a coagulation-flocculation process | 5% | BNCQ5 |
6 | Foliar | Nejayote treated by a coagulation-flocculation process | 30% | NCQ30 |
7 | Edaphic | Control: Drinking water | 0% | AP |
8 | Edaphic | Raw nejayote | 50% | NC50 |
9 | Edaphic | Raw nejayote | 75% | NC75 |
10 | Edaphic | Raw nejayote | 100% | NC100 |
The research was conducted in the municipality of Amozoc de Mota, Puebla, Mexico, located at 19˚03'20.0 north latitude and 98˚03'06.0 west longitude, with respect to the Greenwich meridian and at 2331 MASL. The climate in Amozoc de Mota is mild and subhumid, with summer rains (100%). The temperature and precipitation ranges were 12˚C - 18˚C and 900 - 1100 mm, respectively. The soil in the region is composed of Leptosol (39%), Luvisol (20%), Arenosol (20%), Phaeozem (1%), and Durisol (1%). Blue maize culture in this plot was conducted on a temporary basis.
Before the date of sowing, soil samples were taken in a zigzag fashion across the len- gthand breadth of the plot and at a depth of 0.30 m. A composite sample was formed for physicochemical analysis. Four samples were collected 139 days after sowing (soil with drinking water and soil with raw nejayote at 50%, 75%, and 100%) for physicochemical analysis. The indicators of soil quality were as follows: pH, electric conductivity, cation-exchange capacity, carbonates, bicarbonates, chlorides, sulphates, OM, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, texture, real density, apparent density, field capacity, permanent wilting point, usable moisture, irrigation lamina, and porosity. Variables were assessed on the basis of the Official Mexican Standard (Norma Oficial Mexicana) NOM-021- SEMARNAT-2000.
A randomised block design was established with the application of 10 treatments and five replications, using native blue maize (Zea mays L.) as an indicator plant of the conic group 1a [
Fertiliser application from raw and treated nejayote included application on leaves (foliar) and soil (edaphic). In the case of foliar application, six treatments were applied with bio-fertilisers prepared at different dilutions, corresponding to treatments 1 - 6 of
For the field foliar and edaphic treatments applied on native blue maize crops, the response variables plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and grain yield were assessed, with five replications, using Statgraphics Centurion XVI 16.1.02. All the variables were measured and analysed by a one-way ANOVA with Bartlett’s test and a multifactor ANOVA with Tukey’s range test, with α = 0.05 for the response variables of the foliar and edaphic field treatments.
The physicochemical characteristics of raw nejayote and nejayote treated through a coagulation-flocculation process are presented in
Parameter | Nejayote | |
---|---|---|
Raw | Treated | |
pH | 11.2 | 9.0 |
Colour (m−1) | 50.40 | 15.40 |
Turbidity (NTU) | 1,072 | 143.0 |
Total Solids (%) | 1.08 | 3.00 |
COD (mgO2∙L−1) | 17,146 | 14,058 |
Organic Matter (%) | 61.48 | 11.90 |
Electric conductivity (dS∙m−1) | 3.95 | 2.36 |
Total Nitrogen (%) | 0.08 | 0.06 |
Phosphorus (%) | 0.015 | ND |
Potassium (%) | 0.001 | 0.030 |
Calcium (%) | 0.941 | 0.870 |
Magnesium (%) | 0.174 | 0.400 |
Iron (%) | 0.0011 | ND |
Abbreviations are as follows: NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit; ND: Not detected.
structure and facilitating the availability of chelated minerals in plants. Nejayote treated by chemical coagulation with 7.5 to 11.5 g∙L−1 Südflock® P-63 coagulant and 0.2 × 10−3 g∙L−1 flocculent (Sumex Biofloc® A-01) at pH 9.0 modifies the physicochemical properties of raw nejayote, significantly reducing the colour and turbidity and partially reducing the organic load and ion presence in the solution. The most significant physicochemical characteristics of raw and treated nejayote are presented in
Parameter | Bio-fertilisers | ||
---|---|---|---|
BT | BNCQ | BNC | |
pH | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Total Solids (%) | 38.47 | 8.18 | 9.73 |
Colour (m−1) | 224.4 | 535.7 | 240.9 |
Turbidity (NTU) | 2948 | 8232 | 3036 |
Electric Conductivity (dS∙m−1) | 12.49 | 15.41 | 15.47 |
Organic Matter (%) | 82.03 | 73.56 | 83.5 |
Total Nitrogen (%) | 0.09 | 0.12 | 0.01 |
Phosphorus (%) | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Potassium (%) | 0.12 | 0.10 | 0.13 |
Calcium (%) | 0.22 | 0.29 | 0.41 |
Magnesium (%) | 0.219 | 0.24 | 0.257 |
Iron (%) | 0.0059 | 0.0049 | 0.0058 |
Manganese (%) | 0.0013 | 0.0010 | 0.0007 |
Zinc (%) | 0.0011 | 0.0011 | 0.0010 |
Abbreviation is as follows: NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit.
nejayote. The calcium content in bio-fertilisers mainly comes from nejayote obtained from alkaline cooking (calcium hydroxide) during the nixtamalisation process. Both hydroxide and calcium carbonate function as alkalis and neutralise the acid products resulting from fermentation. In addition, calcium increases the OM mineralisation speed that contributes to the mobilisation of nutrients for the plants, especially of cellulose material, thus stimulating the bacterial activity of decomposition [
We assessed the effect of foliar and edaphic application of raw and treated nejayote- based fertilisers during maize plant development by a statistical analysis of the experimental data obtained by Tukey’s range test (α = 0.05) of diverse response variables at different stages of crop development: plant height (cm), stem diameter (mm), number of leaves, and grain yield (t∙ha−1). The different stages of crop development were classified as follows: 1) V5 (visible collar of the fifth leaf); 2) V8 (visible collar of the eighth leaf); 3) V9-VT (visible collar of the ninth leaf; last branch of the panicle visible); 4) VT-R0 (last branch of the panicle visible; male flowering) and 5) R1-R2 (visible stigmas in 50% of the plants; blister stage), as defined by Lafitte (1994) [
Plant height (cm) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Treatments | V5 03/06/15 | V8 26/06/15 | V9-VT 15/07/15 | VT-R0 05/08/15 | R1-R2 26/08/15 |
AP | 25.12 ± 2.28 a1 | 61.68 ± 4.70 a | 105.66 ± 9.00 a | 162.62 ± 6.50 a | 176.00 ± 8.96 a |
BT5 | 27.20 ± 3.97 a | 59.31 ± 8.45 a | 114.95 ± 11.9 a | 169.20 ± 11.4 a | 189.93 ± 8.66 a |
NCQ30 | 25.91 ± 2.10 a | 60.38 ± 3.16 a | 102.58 ± 8.22 a | 158.14 ± 9.19 a | 174.47 ± 10.3 a |
BNCQ5 | 26.15 ± 2.68 a | 56.90 ± 5.08 a | 107.77 ± 12.8 a | 165.50 ± 17.6 a | 185.50 ± 14.1 a |
BNC5 | 27.47 ± 2.11 a | 57.87 ± 4.20 a | 112.03 ± 11.1 a | 160.57 ± 11.5 a | 179.27 ± 10.9 a |
BNC15 | 26.42 ± 1.64 a | 60.40 ± 5.32 a | 112.00 ± 10.0 a | 168.12 ± 15.1 a | 178.50 ± 11.8 a |
BNC30 | 26.37 ± 2.49 a | 60.85 ± 4.70 a | 108.05 ± 5.76 a | 172.17 ± 5.11 a | 190.27 ± 8.07 a |
NC50 | 23.98 ± 0.68 a | 48.17 ± 2.60 a | 89.95 ± 6.586 a | 155.88 ± 8.79 a | 176.11 ± 11.3 a |
NC75 | 24.13 ± 2.55 a | 54.95 ± 5.00 a | 103.93 ± 11.4 a | 182.23 ± 9.41 a | 197.67 ± 10.6 a |
NC100 | 24.13 ± 2.27 a | 46.70 ± 3.91 a | 88.78 ± 7.330 a | 159.13 ± 11.7 a | 183.17 ± 11.9 a |
1Mean ± standard error. Equal letters indicate no significant difference (Tukey, P ≤ 0.05). Abbreviations are as follows: V5: visible collar of the fifth leaf; V8: visible collar of the eighth leaf; V9-VT: visible collar of the ninth leaf―last branch of the panicle visible; VT-R0: last branch of the panicle visible―male flowering; R1-R2: visible stigmas in 50% of the plants―blister stage.
Diameter of the stem (mm) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Treatments | V5 03/06/15 | V8 26/06/15 | V9-VT 15/07/15 | VT-R0 05/08/15 | R1-R2 26/08/15 |
AP | 8.4 ± 0.8 a1 | 17.9 ± 0.80 b | 22.3 ± 1.36 a | 18.8 ± 1.46 a | 21.3 ± 0.88 a |
BT5 | 9.1 ± 0.8 a | 18.8 ± 0.73 b | 22.6 ± 2.01 a | 19.1 ± 1.68 a | 20.1 ± 0.76 a |
NCQ30 | 8.5 ± 0.7 a | 18.3 ± 0.67 b | 20.9 ± 1.74 a | 20.0 ± 1.52 a | 21.0 ± 0.73 a |
BNCQ5 | 8.9 ± 0.9 a | 14.3 ± 1.60 ab | 22.3 ± 1.26 a | 18.5 ± 1.22 a | 20.2 ± 0.60 a |
BNC5 | 8.6 ± 0.7 a | 14.8 ± 1.32 ab | 21.4 ± 1.87 a | 18.5 ± 1.60 a | 21.1 ± 1.34 a |
BNC15 | 8.8 ± 0.8 a | 14.4 ± 1.57 ab | 21.9 ± 0.68 a | 18.8 ± 1.03 a | 20.9 ± 0.80 a |
BNC30 | 8.7 ± 0.7 a | 14.9 ± 1.85 ab | 21.1 ± 1.38 a | 18.8 ± 1.49 a | 18.9 ± 1.35 a |
NC50 | 7.6 ± 0.3 a | 14.8 ± 0.36 ab | 20.9 ± 1.18 a | 18.5 ± 1.19 a | 18.5 ± 0.98 a |
NC75 | 8.1 ± 0.6 a | 16.5 ± 1.72 ab | 23.5 ± 2.30 a | 20.7 ± 1.01 a | 21.3 ± 0.84 a |
NC100 | 8.3 ± 0.8 a | 11.4 ± 0.65 a | 20.6 ± 1.67 a | 18.0 ± 2.03 a | 20.5 ± 0.85 a |
1Mean ± standard error. Different letters (a y b) represent significant difference at P ≤ 0.05 confidence level by Tukey test between treatments for the same dependent variable. Abbreviations are as follows: V5: visible collar of the fifth leaf; V8: visible collar of the eighth leaf; V9-VT: visible collar of the ninth leaf―last branch of the panicle visible; VT-R0: last branch of the panicle visible―male flowering; R1-R2: visible stigmas in 50% of the plants―blister stage.
(b). The maximum value for stem diameter (18.8 mm) was observed with the BT5 treatment (foliar bio-fertiliser at 5%). A similar value (18.3 mm) was obtained with the NCQ30 treatment (nejayote treated by chemical coagulation), while the lowest stem diameter value (11.4 mm) was obtained with the NC100 treatment in comparison with the remaining treatments. It is possible that excess calcium may have been responsible for slowing the stem diameter growth at the V8 stage, given the increase in soil pH (
According to
Number of leaves | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Treatments | V5 03/06/15 | V8 26/06/15 | V9-VT 15/07/15 | VT-R0 05/08/15 | R1-R2 26/08/15 |
AP | 5.27 ± 0.28 a1 | 7.97 ± 0.27 b | 9.70 ± 0.45 a | 9.53 ± 0.18 a | 7.87 ± 0.23 a |
BT5 | 5.27 ± 0.15 a | 8.58 ± 0.31 b | 9.90 ± 0.60 a | 9.53 ± 0.34 a | 7.50 ± 0.28 a |
NCQ30 | 5.13 ± 0.28 a | 7.73 ± 0.17 b | 9.36 ± 0.29 a | 9.13 ± 0.12 a | 7.27 ± 0.11 a |
BNCQ5 | 5.30 ± 0.23 a | 7.46 ± 0.27 ab | 9.30 ± 0.72 a | 9.30 ± 0.25 a | 7.63 ± 0.08 a |
BNC5 | 5.43 ± 0.23 a | 7.88 ± 0.28 b | 9.73 ± 0.38 a | 9.03 ± 0.31 a | 7.53 ± 0.26 a |
BNC15 | 5.20 ± 0.22 a | 7.77 ± 0.42 b | 9.37 ± 0.32 a | 9.43 ± 0.29 a | 7.30 ± 0.14 a |
BNC30 | 4.77 ± 0.19 a | 7.87 ± 0.45 b | 9.47 ± 0.31 a | 9.57 ± 0.21 a | 7.73 ± 0.11 a |
NC50 | 5.14 ± 0.21 a | 7.10 ± 0.12 ab | 9.27 ± 0.22 a | 9.60 ± 0.22 a | 7.47 ± 0.15 a |
NC75 | 5.07 ± 0.29 a | 7.13 ± 0.47 ab | 9.53 ± 0.67 a | 9.60 ± 0.12 a | 7.73 ± 0.22 a |
NC100 | 5.33 ± 0.27 a | 6.13 ± 0.22 a | 9.27 ± 0.38 a | 9.50 ± 0.44 a | 7.60 ± 0.36 a |
1Mean ± standard error. Different letters (a y b) represent significant difference at P ≤ 0.05 confidence level by Tukey test between treatments for the same dependent variable. Abbreviations are as follows: V5: visible collar of the fifth leaf; V8: visible collar of the eighth leaf; V9-VT: visible collar of the ninth leaf―last branch of the panicle visible; VT-R0: last branch of the panicle visible―male flowering; R1-R2: visible stigmas in 50% of the plants―blister stage.
the number of leaves at the second measuring stage V8 (26-06-2015). At this stage, the number of leaves of maize plants revealed that the AP, BT5, NCQ30, BNC5, BNC15, and BNC30 treatments showed a statistically significant total difference (b) with respect to the highest values from 7.73 ± 0.17 to 8.58 ± 0.31, compared with the remaining treatments. The BNCQ5, NC50, and NC75 treatments resulted in significant statistical differences (ab), with number of leaves ranging from 7.10 ± 0.12 to 7.46 ± 0.27 leaves. Lastly, the NC100 treatment also presented a significant statistical difference (a), with 6.13 ± 0.22 leaves.
At subsequent stages, the number of leaves did not reveal statistically significant differences in terms of treatment effects. Notably, the number of leaves increased from stage V5 to stages V9-VT but diminished from stage VT-R0 to stages R1-R2. Sánchez et al. (2000) [
Treatments | Weight (g) | Grain yield (t∙ha−1) |
---|---|---|
AP | 329 ± 74.8 ab1 | 0.470 ± 0.1070 ab |
BT5 | 411 ± 49.1 ab | 0.587 ± 0.0702 ab |
NCQ30 | 214 ± 8.32 ab | 0.305 ± 0.0119 ab |
BNCQ5 | 301 ± 49.2 ab | 0.430 ± 0.0703 ab |
BNC5 | 447 ± 84.8 b | 0.639 ± 0.1210 b |
BNC15 | 162 ± 29.9 a | 0.231 ± 0.0428 a |
BNC30 | 252 ± 45.2 ab | 0.361 ± 0.0648 ab |
NC50 | 343 ± 29.6 ab | 0.491 ± 0.0422 ab |
NC75 | 276 ± 67.1 ab | 0.395 ± 0.0959 ab |
NC100 | 371 ± 36.9 ab | 0.530 ± 0.0527 ab |
1Mean ± standard error. Different letters (a y b) represent significant difference at P ≤ 0.05 confidence level by Tukey test between treatments for the same dependent variable.
(raw nejayote-based bio-fertiliser at 5%). Therefore, its effect established a statistically significant total difference (b) with respect to the remaining treatments. In addition, the BNC15 treatment generated the lowest value (0.231 ± 0.042 t∙ha−1), compared with the rest of the treatments. The effect of the AP, BT5, NCQ30, BNCQ5, BNC30, NC50, NC75, and NC100 treatments did not show statistically significant differences (Tukey P ≤ 0.05). The interval of yield values obtained in this study (0.231 ± 0.043 - 0.639 ± 0.121 t∙ha−1) was below the values reported by Nankar et al. (2016) [
In our study, some determining factors on low maize yield could be associated with the period between 15 July and 15 August, 2015 (stages V9-R1), when droughts were classified by the National Weather Service [
Parameter | Before application | After application | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AP | NC50 | NC75 | NC100 | ||
pH | 7.45 | 6.20 | 6.09 | 5.85 | 6.26 |
Sand (%) | 68 | 77 | 69 | 67 | 71 |
Clay (%) | 16 | 14 | 20 | 18 | 10 |
Silt (%) | 16 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 19 |
Texture | loamy-sandy | loamy-sandy | loamy-sandy | loamy-sandy | loamy-sandy |
Organic matter (%) | 0.90 | 1.47 | 1.59 | 1.71 | 1.83 |
Real density (g∙cm−3) | 3.33 | 0.83 | 0.56 | 0.56 | 0.56 |
Apparent density (g∙cm−3) | 1.26 | 0.42 | 0.38 | 0.42 | 0.42 |
Field capacity (%) | 18.91 | 12.54 | 18.74 | 15.19 | 11.76 |
Permanent wilting point (%) | 10.28 | 6.28 | 10.18 | 7.95 | 5.80 |
Usable moisture (%) | 8.62 | 6.26 | 8.56 | 7.24 | 5.97 |
Irrigation lamina (cm) | 4.80 | 4.83 | 5.71 | 4.17 | 3.98 |
Porosity (%) | 62.16 | 49.40 | 32.14 | 25.00 | 25.00 |
Electric conductivity (dS∙m−1) | 1.42 | 0.71 | 0.84 | 0.45 | 0.04 |
Cation Exchange Capacity (cmol∙kg−1) | 1.40 | 1.40 | 1.20 | 1.40 | 2.00 |
Total Nitrogen (%) | 0.024 | 0.007 | 0.007 | 0.430 | 1.269 |
Phosphorus (%) | 0.002 | ND | ND | ND | ND |
Potassium (%) | 0.004 | ND | ND | ND | ND |
Calcium (%) | 0.028 | 0.020 | 0.044 | 0.047 | 0.052 |
Iron (%) | 0.0043 | 0.0019 | 0.0027 | 0.0030 | 0.0029 |
Manganese (%) | 0.0001 | 0.0001 | 0.0003 | 0.0003 | 0.0003 |
Bicarbonates (%) | 0.0491 | 0.0184 | 0.0061 | ND | 0.0061 |
Chlorides (%) | ND | 0.0048 | 0.0064 | 0.0096 | 0.0032 |
Sulfates (%) | 0.0257 | ND | ND | ND | ND |
ND: Not detected.
ions and OM in the soil. The highest percentage of OM and calcium was registered in the NC100 treatment (raw nejayote at 100%). When the calcium content increases in soil, generally, microbial growth is stimulated, thus positively affecting both nutrient availability and nitrogen fixation [
Raw nejayote was found to be of agricultural value, given its high content of organic and inorganic matter. Nejayote treated by a coagulation-flocculation process using the alkaline bentonite Südflock® P-63 and the anionic polyacrylamide Sumex Biofloc® A-01 at pH = 9.0 contributed to the significant reduction of the organic and inorganic content with respect to raw nejayote. In this manner, two nejayote states were established (raw nejayote and treated nejayote) with different physicochemical properties. Foliar and edaphic field treatments applied to native blue maize crops were statistically assessed through the following variable responses: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and crop yield. The most significant effects of the foliar and edaphic application of raw and treated nejayote occurred at the early stage of plant development (the V8 stage, associated with a visible collar of the eighth leaf) and was mainly reflected by the stem diameter of the plant under NCQ30 treatment (nejayote treated by chemical coagulation at 30%) and the number of plant leaves under BNC5 treatment (raw nejayote- based bio-fertiliser at 5%). At the final stage of crop development, the highest yield was obtained with the BNC5 treatment (raw nejayote-based bio-fertiliser at 5%, foliar application), which resulted in a statistically significant difference (b) in relation to the remaining foliar and edaphic treatments (Tukey P ≤ 0.05). This finding indicates a better efficiency of foliar absorption than edaphic absorption of nutrients. The proportion of raw or treated nejayote that is foliarly or edaphically applied is a determining factor for blue maize crops. Of the different treatments applied, only low concentrations of raw nejayote (5%) and nejayote treated by chemical coagulation (30%) yielded a favourable response. Therefore, raw nejayote or nejayote treated by chemical coagulation can be used in low concentrations as an agricultural input in the cultivation of maize.
The authors are grateful for the financial support provided by the project VIEP 2015. V. Téllez also thanks to CONACYT for scholarship granted.
Téllez, V., López, J.F., Aragón, A. and Zayas, T. (2016) Application of Nejayote as a Foliar and Edaphic Fertiliser to Native Blue Maize (Zea mays L.) Crops. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 7, 2221-2238. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2016.715196