Abstract

MATHEUS, Jesús. Evaluación agronómica del uso de compost de residuos de la industria azucarera (biofertilizante) en el cultivo de maíz (Zea mays L.). Bioagro [online]. 2004, vol.16, n.3, pp.219-224. ISSN 1316-3361.

A compost coming from the sugar cane industry wastes (La Pastora Biofertilizer) was evaluated as an alternative to restore fertility of a degraded soil and to supply nutritional requirements of corn (hybrid Himeca 2000). The field study was conducted at the Campus Rafael Rangel of the Universidad de Los Andes, located at Pampán, Trujillo, Venezuela. By means of a randomized complete block design with four replicates, the following treatments were evaluated: three levels of biofertilizer (4, 6, and 8 Mg·ha-1), conventional chemical fertilization (159 kg·ha-1 N, 90 kg·ha-1 P2O5, and 90 kg·ha-1 K2O), and a mixture of 2 Mg·ha-1 of biofertilizer + ½ dose of the chemical fertilizer. Plant growth variables and corn yield were quantified. The largest responses in plant height and cane diameter were found in the treatments under chemical fertilization, the mixture, and the highest level of biofertilizer; the best corn yield was obtained with the mixture. These results confirm the benefits of integrated and balanced fertilization systems based on the complementary use of organic and mineral fertilizers.

Keywords : Agroindustry; waste; compost; recycling; fertilization.