Impact of Macro and Micro Nutrient Omission on Maize Growth and Yield Assessing Critical Limiting Factors in Nutrient Management

Abstract

Deficiency in both macro and micro-nutrients can disrupt the metabolic processes of plants, leading to a decline in maize yields. This study aimed to: (1) assess the impact of omitting specific macro-micro nutrients on maize growth and yield, (2) identify the relationship between maize growth and yield under nutrient omission conditions, and (3) determine the sequence of nutrients that are the most critical limiting factors for maize yield. The research was conducted on farmers' fields in Medan Selayang, North Sumatra, Indonesia, from May to September 2023, utilizing nutrient omission techniques tailored to the requirements of maize plants. The experiment followed a Completely Randomized Block Design with a single factor—the removal of nutrients N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Zn, Fe, and Cu. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and tested with DMRT at P<0.05, followed by correlation analysis. The results indicated that maize growth and yield were inhibited by 29.44-66.03% and 20.11-49.18%, respectively, in the absence of nitrogen fertilization. Maize productivity was significantly influenced by leaf area, total chlorophyll content, root length, root volume, and the dry weight of both shoots and roots. The sequence of nutrient importance as limiting factors for maize productivity was identified as follows: N < K < S < Ca < Fe < P < Zn < Mg < Mn < Cu.