Emir. J. Food Agric. 2014. 26 (3): 284-292 doi: 10.9755/ejfa.v26i3.16183 http://www.ejfa.info/ 284 PLANT SCIENCE Maize (Zea mays L.) nutrient use efficiency as affected by formulated fertilizer with Clinoptilolite Zeolite Magdalina Lija, Ahmed Osumanu Haruna * and Susilawati Kasim Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia Abstract Excessive uses of fertilizer can create environmental problems such as soil pollution. This problem could be reduced by amending clinoptilolite zeolite with compound fertilizers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of clinoptilolite zeolite rates in compound fertilizers (N: P: K) on maize nutrients uptake and use efficiency. The following treatments were considered and evaluated: soil alone (T1), 44.6 g 5:3:2 formulated fertilizer (12.83 g compound fertilizer + 31.77 g zeolite) (T2), 44.6 g 5:5:5 formulated fertilizer (18.24 g compound fertilizer + 26.36 g zeolite) (T3), 37.17 g 6:6:6 formulated fertilizer (18.25 g compound fertilizer + 18.92 g zeolite) (T4), 22.30 g 10:10:10 formulated fertilizer (18.24 g compound fertilizer + 4.06 g zeolite) (T5), and 14.87 g 15:15:15 commercial fertilizer (T6). Selected soil chemical properties, as well as, dry weight, nutrients concentrations, uptake and use efficiency were measured. Compound fertilizers with zeolite increased soil pH compared to soil alone (T1) and commercial fertilizer (T6). Application of compound fertilizer did no significantly affect total N and available nitrate in the soil. T6 gave better plant height and dry matter production among treatments. Nitrogen concentrations for all plant parts were similar for all treatments. T6 showed better P concentrations, uptake, and use efficiency. K concentrations in maize plant parts were significantly increased for treatments with zeolite except for roots. T5 and T6 significantly increased K uptake. T6 significantly increased N and P uptake and use efficiency, while T2 significantly increased K use efficiency. Amending N, P, and K fertilizers with higher dosage of clinoptilolite zeolite improved soil chemical properties, nutrient uptake of Masmadu variety. Compound fertilizers amended with clinoptilolite zeolite enhanced K use efficiency of Masmadu maize variety. Key words: Clinoptilolite zeolite, Compound fertilizers, Nutrient uptake, Nutrient use efficiency, Zea mays Introduction Maize is being considered the most popular cereal crop after wheat and rice (FAO, 2006). Macronutrient and micronutrient fertilizers play important role as soil conditioner (Hattenschwiler et al., 2000). Agriculture production is usually affected by the fertilizer type applied to plants. Mineral fertilizers are alternative sources of nutrient supplement to supply sufficient nutrients in soil as well as to promote better plant productivity. However, inadequate application of fertilizers leads to its excessive consumption. Low management of fertilizers in agriculture may further cause environmental pollution. The increasing demand for environmental friendly fertilizers is encouraging in crop cultivation at the same time can preserve environmental quality. Natural mineral based material such as ash and rock phosphate can be used in agriculture and horticulture to reduce excessive fertilizer use. Clinoptilolite zeolite, as a soil conditioner, can be considered in agricultural production. According to Polat et al. (2004), clinoptilolite can be used to improve fertilizer nutrient use efficiency. Zeolite has high cation exchange capacity (CEC) which can hold nutrient release from fertilizers slowly. Nitrogen, P and K in soil can also increase through zeolite application (Abdi et al., 2006). Normally, the most common used fertilizers among farmers are straight fertilizers, such as urea, triple superphosphate (TSP) and muriate of potash (MOP). Both of AN and Egypt rock phosphate (ERP) are alternative sources of N and P to improve plant development. On the other hand, there is scanty information on the effects of N: P: K Received 11 April 2013; Revised 28 August 2013; Accepted 18 September 2013; Published Online 20 October 2013 *Corresponding Author Ahmed Osumanu Haruna Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia Email: osumanu@btu.upm.edu.my