Effect of Reducing Chemical Nitrogen Fertilizer and Applying Commercial Organic Fertilizer on Maize Growth Traits and Yield

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1005-6114.2025.04.011

Abstract：Reducing chemical nitrogen fertilizer and applying commercial organic fertilizer is an important way to achieve green production of maize. In response to soil degradation caused by excessive fertilization in the Northeast Black Soil Region, this study evaluated the effects of reducing nitrogen fertilizer and applying organic fertilizer on maize growth and yield based on the recommended fertilizer formula for maize in Benxi City. The experiment included eight treatments: no fertilizer (CK), recommended formula (CF), chemical fertilizer reduced by 10%, 15%, 20% (T1, T2, T3), and chemical fertilizer reduced by 10%, 15%, 20% plus 200 kg/667m2 of commercial organic fertilizer (T4, T5, T6). The results showed that compared with the recommended formula (CF), the plant height, ear height, and 100-grain weight of maize in the single nitrogen reduction treatments were reduced. Applying organic fertilizer significantly improved the ear traits of maize. Among them, the treatment of reducing nitrogen by 10% and applying organic fertilizer (T4) had the best effect, with the highest yield of 813.88 kg/667m2, which was 3.6% higher than that of the recommended formula (CF), and 8.5% higher than the non-organic fertilizer treatments at the same nitrogen reduction level. In conclusion, applying commercial organic fertilizer on the basis of appropriate chemical nitrogen reduction is beneficial for the growth of maize ear length, ear diameter, and kernel number, as well as for increasing yield. It is recommended to apply 200 kg/667m2 of commercial organic fertilizer on the basis of a 10% reduction in formula fertilizer. The research results provide a scientific basis for promoting the fertilizer application technology of reducing fertilizer use, improving quality, and increasing efficiency for maize.