Profitability of hybrid sweet corn (Zea mays L. var Macho F1) production as applied with combined organic and inorganic fertilizers

Organic manures can be used as an alternative for inorganic fertilizers. However, the application of organic inputs alone cannot meet the nutritional requirements of the crop. There is a need to combine them with inorganic fertilizers to attain better yield. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield performance of sweetcorn and assess the profitability of the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on sweetcorn production. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with 3 replications. Treatments were as follows: T0 = Control (without fertilizer applied), T1 – Inorganic fertilizer at 90-60-60 kg ha-1 (N, P2O5, K2O), T2 = 5 t ha-1 of vermicompost + 45-30-30 kg ha-1 N, P2O5, K2O, T3 = 5 t ha-1 of poultry manure + 45-30-30 kg ha-1 N,P2O5, K2O, T4 = 5 t ha-1 of cow manure + 45-30-30 kg ha-1 N, P2O5, K2O, T5 = 5 t ha-1 of goat manure + 45-30-30 kg ha-1 N, P2O5, K2O, T6 = 5 t ha-1 of mudpress + 45-30-30 kg ha-1 N, P2O5, K2O, T7 = Foliar spray (Fermented Golden Snail) + 45-30-30 kg ha-1 N, P2O5, K2O. Sweetcorn plants applied with organic + inorganic fertilizers regardless of sources gave a significant growth and yield compared to those plants without fertilizer applied. The highest net income and ROI were obtained from plants applied with combined goat manure and inorganic fertilizers at PhP 62,086.00 ha-1 and 72 %, respectively.