Use of Fresh Sawdust as a Nitrogen Source in Sweet Corn Production

Abstract

ABSTRACT Fresh sawdust from particleboard glued with urea formaldehyde was applied as a possible replacement for ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) fertilization in sweet corn (Zea mays L.) production. The treatments consisted of two combinations of sawdust and NH4NO3 combinations (25% sawdust:75% NH4NO3; 50% sawdust:50% NH4NO3); 100% sawdust; a standard NH4NO3 application (296 kg·ha−1); and a control treatment that consisted of preplant NH4NO3 only. Total N applied for all treatments was 139 kg·ha−1 of N except for the control with 101 kg·ha−1 of N. The elemental composition of the fresh sawdust had a high N composite (32.1 g·kg−1) and alow C: N ratio (15:1), making it favorable for direct use as an organic nitrogen fertilizer. Results indicated that the 25% and 50% sawdust treatments were similar to the standard NH4NO3 treatment in chlorophyll content at V6 and R1 stages, R1 plant height, and marketable yield. When the amount of NH4NO3 was increased, as is the case of the 25% sawdust, all measured responses were similar. Conversely, the use of 100% sawdust as a replacement for NH4NO3 fertilization resulted in decreased growth and yields. It appears that the use of sawdust from particleboard glued with urea formaldehyde has potential as a soil amendment with an aim in reducing the amount of NH4NO3 fertilizer needed in sweet corn production.