Synergistic effect of nitrogen and mulching to enhance water use efficiency, grain quality, and productivity of maize ( Zea mays L.)

Heavy use of chemicals, in the form of fertilizer and pesticide, is the key factor in damaging natural resources. Mulches offer an innovative solution, which can improve fertilizer and water use efficiency, as well as reduce weed emergence. We hypothesized that using biodegradable mulches could enhance input use efficiency and maize crop productivity on a sustainable basis. We conducted a field experiment to evaluate various levels of nitrogen under different mulching system. The treatments consisted of two factors: Factor-A: Mulches (M1 = Biodegradable mulch and M2 = Plastic mulch) and Factor-B: Nitrogen levels (N1 = Control, N2 = 80 Kg ha−1, N3 =100 Kg ha−1, N4 = 140 Kg ha−1, N5 = 180 Kg ha−1, and N6 = 200 Kg ha−1). The results showed that the application of nitrogen at a rate of 140 Kg ha−1 under biodegradable mulch (M2) resulted in superior performance compared to other combinations. During both the years, this treatment combination improved the crop productivity in term of cob length (9%, 18%), grain rows per cob (5%, 7%), grains per cob (20%, 11%), 1000-grain weight (16%, 38%) grain yield (31%, 36%) and biological yield (19% and 18%), harvest index (14%, 22%), water use efficiency (WUE) (47%, 38%), nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and grain quality of maize crop. The biodegradable mulch positively affected soil health and soil organic matter content. Therefore, biodegradable mulch is pragmatic approach and may be used to improve WUE, grain quality, and yield of maize crop.