Growth and Yield of Sweet Corn (Zea mays var. rugosa) in Response to Bio-fertilizer Application

Bio-N® fertilizer is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. This study was conducted to determine the effects of Bio-N® and different levels of inorganic fertilizers on the growth, yield and postharvest quality of sweet corn (Zea mays var. rugosa). The experiment was conducted using a 5m x 4m plot size and arranged as a 2x3 factorial experiment within a Randomized Complete Block Design. Bio-N application (with and without) was designated as Factor A, while the varying levels of inorganic NPK fertilizer (100%, 75%, 50%) were assigned as Factor B. This resulted in six treatment combinations, with each plot containing 108 sweetcorn plants, replicated three times.

Sweetcorn plants applied with Bio-N® fertilizer gave a significant growth and yield compared to those plants without fertilizer (Bio-N®) applied. The highest net income and return of investment were obtained from plants applied with Bio-N® with 100% RR of inorganic fertilizer at 284,866.00 and 316.05% respectively.