Responses of maize root morphology and soil available nutrient to fertilizer types in a coal mine reclamation area

Abstract

The impact of different fertilizer types with equal nitrogen levels on maize root morphology and soil available nutrient is needed, especially in coal mine reclamation areas. After 9-year fertilization, the maize root biomass, length, and surface area of the organic–inorganic fertilization (OF) treatment were significantly higher than those of other treatments. The contents of available phosphorus and available potassium were 18.46 and 176 mg·kg−1, respectively, under OF treatment, which were significantly higher than those under other treatments. Our findings indicate that the fertilizing effect of OF treatment is effective for soil reclamation in mining areas.