Abstract
Agronomic, Physiological, and Economic Efficiencies of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata) Applied with Varying Levels of Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) 7 and Organic Nutrient Supplements
Jeffrey P. Villaver 1 , Eric Randy R. Politud 2 , Renante D. Taylaran 2 ,
Alma L. Cosadio 2 , Imelda U. Hebron 2 , Apolinario B. Gonzaga Jr. 3
Indigenous microorganisms (IMO) 7 are organic fertilizers produced from a series of aerobic and
anaerobic fermentations. This study investigated the effects of levels of indigenous
microorganisms (IMO) 7 such as control (N:P:K: 120:90:60), IMO 7 at 7.5 t ha -1 , 15 t ha -1 , and
22.5 t ha -1 and organic nutrient supplements (ONS) - fish amino acid (FAA), fermented plant
juice (FPJ), and fermented seaweed (FS) on the different agronomic, physiological and economic
parameters of sweet corn. The experimental plots were arranged using a 4 x 4 factorial in
Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results revealed that the
IMO 7 significantly improved the ear height, net assimilation rate (NAR) 55-65 days after
planting (DAP), dry matter yield (DMY), and return on investment (ROI). The ONS influenced
the ear yield, leaf area index (LAI) at 65 DAP, NAR (45-55, 55-65 DAP), and ROI. The control
(N:P:K: 120:90:60) and the IMO 7 at 22.5 t ha -1 gave the highest DMY 10.58 and 10.37 t ha -1 .
Among the ONS, FS obtained the highest ear yield at 13 t ha -1 and NAR of 0.091 - 0.131 gm -2
day -1 . Economically, control (N:P:K: 120:90:60) achieved the highest ROI at 392.1%, followed
by IMO 7 at 7.5 t ha -1 at 287%. FS got the highest ROI at 269.8% among the ONS. The results
provide vital information on IMO 7 and ONS's effects on sustainable sweet corn production in
Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines.
KEYWORDS: agronomic efficiency, indigenous microorganisms, physiological performance,
return-on-investment, sweet corn
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