Changes in Soil Total Nitrogen and Available Phosphorus and Sweet Corn Growth and Yield Responses to Cattle Manure and Mycorrhizal Inoculation in Sandy Soil

Dea Enjeli; Wahyu Astiko; Hery Haryanto

doi:10.59976/jurit.v4i3.399

Authors

Dea Enjeli Universitas Mataram
Wahyu Astiko Universitas Mataram
Hery Haryanto Universitas Mataram

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59976/jurit.v4i3.399

Abstract

Sweet corn is an economically valuable crop, but its growth in sandy soil is often limited by poor water retention and low nutrient availability. This study aimed to compare soil total nitrogen and available phosphorus at 42 and 65 days after planting, describe changes in these nutrients, and examine their relationship with mycorrhizal development, plant growth, and yield. The experiment was conducted in Mataram from February to July 2025 using a randomized block design with five treatments and three replications. The treatments were an untreated control (P0), 10 metric tons per hectare of cattle manure (P1), 3 metric tons per hectare of mycorrhizae (P2), 5 metric tons per hectare of cattle manure combined with 1.5 metric tons per hectare of mycorrhizae (P3), and 10 metric tons per hectare of cattle manure combined with 3 metric tons per hectare of mycorrhizae (P4). Measurements included soil nutrients, plant height, leaf number, mycorrhizal spores, root colonization, and wet cob weight. P4 produced the highest soil total nitrogen content, reaching 0.153% at both observation times. Available phosphorus under P4 decreased from 92.30 ppm at 42 days to 46.34 ppm at 65 days, but remained higher than in the other treatments. P4 also produced plants 165.15 cm tall, root colonization of 96.66%, and wet cob weight of 7.40 kg per plot, an increase of 131.25% compared with the control. The number of mycorrhizal spores reached 5,014 per 100 g of soil under P4, compared with 1,961 in the control. Root colonization in the control indicated the presence of naturally occurring mycorrhizae. Overall, P4 performed best among the tested treatments, although its optimality remains unconfirmed. Further studies should test additional doses and compare costs to support practical nutrient management in sandy soils. The results offer useful evidence for designing practical fertilization strategies under sandy soil conditions

References

W. Astiko, S. Sudirman, M. T. Fauzi, N. M. L. Ernawati, and I. Muthahanas, “Synergistic Effects of Cattle Manure and Mycorrhizal Inoculation on Growth, Yield, and Soil Biological Activity of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata) Grown in Sandy Soils,” Asian J. Agric. Hortic. Res., vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 213–224, 2026, doi: 10.9734/ajahr/2026/v13i1447.

K. Pradeep and R. Bell, “Combined compost and clay amendments improve water and nutrient retention in sandy soil,” Soil Res., vol. 63, no. 8, p. SR25143, 2025, doi: 10.1071/SR25143.

X. Sun, “Animal manures increased maize yield by promoting microbial activities and inorganic phosphorus transformation in reclaimed soil aggregates,” Appl. Soil Ecol., vol. 198, p. 105352, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2024.105352.

Y. Wu, C. Chen, and G. Wang, “Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improves plant biomass and nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients: A meta-analysis,” BMC Plant Biol., vol. 24, p. 960, 2024, doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-05638-9.

H. C. A. R. Severo, “Co-inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Bacillus subtilis enhances morphological traits, growth, and nutrient uptake in maize under limited phosphorus availability,” Sci. Rep., vol. 15, p. 25448, 2025, doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-10038-6.

V. Marrassini, L. Ercoli, R. Cardelli, V. Cantini, and E. Pellegrino, “Lack of complementary or synergistic benefits of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and organic amendments but functional differentiation among AMF species in a maize–wheat rotation,” Sci. Total Environ., vol. 1012, p. 181292, 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.181292.

T. Zhang, L. Yu, Y. Shao, and J. Wang, “Root and hyphal interactions influence N transfer by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soybean/maize intercropping systems,” Fungal Ecol., vol. 64, p. 101240, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.funeco.2023.101240.

W. Astiko, Sudirman, M. T. Fauzi, N. M. L. Ernawati, and I. Muthahanas, “Effects of Cattle Manure and Indigenous Mycorrhizal Inoculation on Mycorrhizal Colonization, Growth, and Yield of Sweet Corn in Sandy Soil,” Asian J. Agric. Hortic. Res., vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 137–148, 2025, doi: 10.9734/ajahr/2025/v12i3399.

W. Astiko, M. T. Fauzi, L. E. Susilowati, and L. Zulkifli, “Role of Bioameliorant Composition in Enhancing Nutrient Uptake and Yield of Maize–Soybean Intercropping Systems on Suboptimal Land,” Asian J. Agric. Hortic. Res., vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 154–164, 2026, doi: 10.9734/ajahr/2026/v13i2464.

Y. Liu, “Spatial dynamics of phosphorus mobilization by mycorrhiza,” Soil Biol. Biochem., vol. 206, p. 109797, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2025.109797.

L. Wang, L. Zhang, T. S. George, and G. Feng, “Hyphosphere core taxa link plant-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi combinations to soil organic phosphorus mineralization,” Soil Biol. Biochem., vol. 201, p. 109647, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2024.109647.

H. Wang, “Organic fertilizer enhances crop yield and soil health by increasing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species richness,” Funct. Ecol., vol. 39, no. 11, pp. 3210–3224, 2025, doi: 10.1111/1365-2435.70151.

H. Wang, Z. Yang, M. Cheng, Q. Yang, and H. Han, “Response of root arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization rate to biochar, compost, and manure: A global meta-analysis,” Agronomy, vol. 16, no. 2, p. 263, 2026, doi: 10.3390/agronomy16020263.

A. Wojciechowski, C. Seassau, L. Soerensen, L. Alletto, and J. R. Lamichhane, “Effects of cover crops on maize establishment, root mycorrhizal colonization, plant growth and grain yield depend on their botanical family: A global meta-analysis,” Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., vol. 356, p. 108648, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2023.108648.

S. Das, D. Liptzin, and B. Maharjan, “Long-term manure application improves soil health and stabilizes carbon in continuous maize production system,” Geoderma, vol. 430, p. 116338, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2023.116338.

J. Niu, “Manure replacing synthetic fertilizer improves crop yield sustainability and reduces carbon footprint under winter wheat–summer maize cropping system,” J. Environ. Manage., vol. 358, p. 120936, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120936.

M. Cao, “Manure substitution improves maize yield by promoting soil fertility and mediating the microbial community in lime concretion black soil,” J. Integr. Agric., vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 698–710, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.jia.2023.05.040.

A. P. Dos Santos, “Nitrogen and carbon stocks in sandy soil cultivated with corn subjected to 17 years of animal manure and mineral fertilizer application,” Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., vol. 367, p. 108981, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2024.108981.

M. Laub, “Combining manure with mineral N fertilizer maintains maize yields: Evidence from four long-term experiments in Kenya,” F. Crop. Res., vol. 291, p. 108788, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2022.108788.

J. Zhang, “Effects of five-year inorganic and organic fertilization on soil phosphorus availability and phosphorus resupply for plant P uptake during maize growth,” Agriculture, vol. 13, no. 4, p. 858, 2023, doi: 10.3390/agriculture13040858.

P. Kataria, “Residual phosphorus availability after soil application of different organic waste in varying soil P status soils,” Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 7, p. e25732, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25732.

B. Kodaolu, I. Mohammed, A. W. Gillespie, Y. Audette, and J. G. Longstaffe, “Phosphorus availability and corn (Zea mays L.) response to application of P-based commercial organic fertilizers to a calcareous soil,” Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., vol. 87, no. 6, pp. 1386–1397, 2023, doi: 10.1002/saj2.20587.

L. Luo, “Rational phosphorus stewardship for sustainable maize production in China: A meta-analysis,” Eur. J. Agron., vol. 153, p. 127072, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.eja.2023.127072.

M. Jiang, C. Dong, W. Bian, W. Zhang, and Y. Wang, “Effects of different fertilization practices on maize yield, soil nutrients, soil moisture, and water use efficiency in northern China based on a meta-analysis,” Sci. Rep., vol. 14, p. 6480, 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-57031-z.

W. Khan, “Above-and below-ground feedback loop of maize is jointly enhanced by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in drier soil,” Sci. Total Environ., vol. 917, p. 170417, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170417.

M. Abrar, “Functionality of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi varies across different growth stages of maize under drought conditions,” Plant Physiol. Biochem., vol. 213, p. 108839, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108839.

A. M. M. Silva, “Can arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria facilitate 33P uptake in maize plants under water stress?,” Microbiol. Res., vol. 271, p. 127350, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127350.

C. Akpodé, “Impact of combinations of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and mineral fertilizers on the production and nutrition of maize plants on ferruginous soil,” Agric. Res., vol. 14, pp. 782–793, 2025, doi: 10.1007/s40003-024-00808-5.

B. Yan, “Biochar amendments combined with organic fertilizer improve maize productivity and mitigate nutrient loss by regulating the C–N–P stoichiometry of soil, microbiome, and enzymes,” Chemosphere, vol. 324, p. 138293, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138293.

N. Wang, “Impacts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers on maize yields, nutrient use efficiency, and soil nutrient balance: Insights from a long-term diverse NPK omission experiment in the North China Plain,” F. Crop. Res., vol. 318, p. 109616, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2024.109616.

Q. Qiu, S. F. Bender, A. S. Mgelwa, and Y. Hu, “Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mitigate soil nitrogen and phosphorus losses: A meta-analysis,” Sci. Total Environ., vol. 807, p. 150857, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150857.

F. S. Buzo, “Effect of mycorrhizae on phosphate fertilization efficiency and maize growth under field conditions,” Sci. Rep., vol. 13, p. 3527, 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-30128-7.

M. A. Meraz-Mercado, “Bacterial community changes in the presence of AMF in the context of maize with low phosphorus content,” J. Soils Sediments, vol. 24, pp. 2918–2925, 2024, doi: 10.1007/s11368-024-03717-w.

M. Li, “Mycorrhizal status and host genotype interact to shape plant nutrition in field grown maize (Zea mays ssp. mays),” Mycorrhiza, vol. 33, pp. 345–358, 2023, doi: 10.1007/s00572-023-01127-3.

P. A. A. Ferreira, “Field application of mycorrhizal inoculant influences growth, nutrition, and physiological parameters of corn plants and affects soil microbiological attributes,” Agronomy, vol. 14, no. 12, p. 3006, 2024, doi: 10.3390/agronomy14123006.

W. Dong, “Synergistic effects of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on maize growth: Insights into nutrient uptake and microbial community shifts,” Ind. Crops Prod., vol. 239, p. 122467, 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.122467.

M. Qu, “Partial manure substitution mitigates nitrogen environmental loss and improves maize yield via reconfiguring rhizosphere-bulk soil microbial functional differentiation,” J. Environ. Manage., 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.130771.

W. Astiko, M. T. Fauzi, L. E. Susilowati, L. Zulkifli, and Fahrurozi, “Improving Nitrogen Availability and Crop Productivity Using Bioameliorants in Maize–Soybean Intercropping on Suboptimal Land,” Nitrogen, vol. 6, no. 4, 2025, doi: 10.3390/nitrogen6040089.

W. Astiko, M. T. Fauzi, L. E. Susilowati, L. Zulkifli, and Fahrurozi, “Bioameliorant Mixtures Enhance Soil Nitrogen Status, Nutrient Uptake, and Crop Productivity in Maize–Soybean Intercropping on Suboptimal Land,” Nitrogen, vol. 7, no. 4, 2026, doi: 10.3390/nitrogen7040118.

W. Astiko, Sudirman, M. T. Fauzi, and I. Muthahanas, “Application of Ameliorants and Mycorrhiza on Sandy Soil for the Cultivation of Glutinous Corn (Zea mays ceratina),” Asian J. Agric. Hortic. Res., vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 163–176, 2025, doi: 10.9734/ajahr/2025/v12i2377.