Research Article

Maize response to phosphorus and sulfur application on calcareous chernozem in Serbia

Vladimir V. Nosov,¹* Svetlana A. Mladenović,² Vladan Ugrenovic,³ Grigory A. Makarov,¹ and Mikhail V. Sterkin¹

¹Apatit JSC, PhosAgro, 55/1 Leninsky Prospekt, Bld 1, 119333 Moscow, Russia

²Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, 6 Nemanjina Street, 11081 Zemun-Belgrade, Serbia

³Institute of Soil Science, 7 Teodora Drajzera, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Corresponding author e-mail: nosoff_72@mail.ru

(Received: 15/02/2022; Revised: 30/04/2023; Accepted: 28/05/2023)

ABSTRACT

Field studies were conducted on carbonate chernozem in Vojvodina Province of Serbia during two seasons of maize growing to adjust nutrient management practices when fertilizers are broadcasted and incorporated into the soil before sowing. The experimental scheme included six fertilization treatments: T₁ (zero fertilizer control), T₂ (N₁₅₆P₆₄K₆₄, farmer fertilizer practice), T₃ (N₁₀₀P₆₀K₆₀), T₄ (N₁₀₀P₆₀K₆₀S₃₆), T₅ (N₁₀₀P₈₀K₆₀), and T₆ (N₁₀₀P₈₀K₆₀S₄₈). Nitrogen application practice was found to be excessive, while phosphorus application practice was found to be insufficient. Phosphorus application rate of 80 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 was found to be rational when the soil test for phosphorus was very low or low. Sulfur (S) application improved grain yield in higher yield conditions, whereas soil containing 3.9–4.0% of organic matter (OM) could meet crop S requirements in lower yield conditions of 5 t ha^-1 and below. It is assumed that S application to maize in the southern Pannonian Plain in Serbia may be limited to 36 kg S ha^-1.

Keywords: maize, grain yield, phosphorus, sulfur.