Effects of Organomineral Fertilizer Treatments on Morphological Parameters and Leaf Macronutrient Contents of Maize Plant

Previous research on plant nutrition and fertilization has shown that neither mineral nor organic fertilizers alone are sufficient for sustaining soil fertility. To address this gap, the present study evaluated the effects of two organomineral fertilizers granular and liquid combining organic and mineral forms on maize (Zea mays L. var. Karadeniz Yıldızı) growth and nutrient uptake. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions using soils collected from 20 agricultural sites in the Ağrı/Eleşkirt region. Three treatments were applied: control (no fertilizer), solid organomineral fertilizer (12-12-12 + 23% SO₃ + 10% OM), and liquid organomineral fertilizer. Morphological traits (leaf length, number of leaves, fresh and dry biomass) and leaf macronutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) were measured. Results showed that both organomineral fertilizers significantly enhanced growth parameters compared to the control (p < 0.001). Plant fresh weight ranged from 18.09 to 29.73 g, while dry weight ranged from 1.97 to 3.29 g. Macronutrient levels were maintained within reference ranges: N (1.810–2.152%), P (0.163–0.215%), K (2.349–2.470%), Ca (0.480–0.559%), and Mg (0.421–0.471%). Statistical analyses revealed significant fertilizer × soil interactions for all measured parameters. The findings demonstrate that organomineral fertilizers improve nutrient use efficiency and biomass accumulation, outperforming unfertilized controls. These results highlight the potential of organomineral fertilizers as a sustainable alternative to conventional mineral fertilizers for maize production, particularly in semi-arid farming systems. Such integration of organic and mineral inputs contributes to improved crop performance and long-term soil fertility management.