Phosphorus (P) is a limited resource, and its efficient use is a main task in sustainable agriculture. Due
to high costs of imported fertilizers, focus is now shifting to solutions that utilize local resources. We
tested the effect of two inorganic phosphorus (P) fertilizer, diammonium phosphate (DAP); triple super
phosphate (TSP) and three organic materials farm yard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM), compost
(COM) on growth, yield, energy content and P utilization efficiency (PUE) of maize. DAP and TSP alone
or in combination with each of organic materials i. e. FYM, PM and COM in combination (50:50 ratio)
were applied to supply 90 kg P ha-1. Both inorganic P fertilizers when applied in combination with either
organic material significantly increased plant height, leaf area and chlorophyll content over control.
Grain, dry matter, biomass yield and protein content increased by 74-101, 43-60, 55-75 and 42-70% over
control. P uptake increased from 14 g kg-1 in control to 36 g kg-1 where DAP and PM was combined while
increase in PUE was 10-27%. When applied in combination with organic materials, DAP+PM was the
best treatment among P sources to be utilized.
