The evaluation of the nutritional element level of the corn (Zea mays L.) growed in Antalya-Aksu region by soil and grain analysis

This study was carried out to determine the level of nutrient accumulation in the grain of the corn (Zea mays L.) plant grown in the Aksu district of Antalya province by soil and grain analysis. In line with the purpose of the study, soil samples where corn plant grows and grain samples were taken from 15 different lands in Aksu district. Constituents of lime (CaCO3), organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, iron, zinc, manganese and copper were determined in soil samples. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese and copper contents in grain samples were also determined. According to the results that obtained, the amount of elements in the soil and corn grain were compared. The minimum and maximum values of P2O5, K2O, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu contents in the soil samples were respectively found between 2,68%-1,29%; 63,3%-127,0%; 7,70 mg kg-1-36,4 mg kg-1; 0,17 mg kg-1-1,68 mg kg-1; 8,90 mg kg-1-19,0 mg kg-1 and 0,88 mg kg-1-10,16 mg kg-1. The minimum and maximum values of N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu contents in the grain samples taken from corn fields were respectively found between 1,32%-1,89%; 0,26%-0,35%; 0,02%-0,29%; 0,17%-0,31%; 0,48%-0,81%; 27,62-460,06 mg kg-1; 21,18-29,15 mg kg-1; 0,33-7,00 mg kg-1 and 2,48-4,69 mg kg-1. According to the analysis results, the structures of the soils were found as loam and clay loam. All samples have high lime content, but they were poor in organic matter. Although the available phosphorus value was low, the exchangeable potassium value was found high in each sample. While iron, manganese and copper were sufficient in the samples, zinc was observed critical and deficient in some samples even if it was found sufficent in the most. Because of the calcareous soils of the research area, it is thought that the usefulness of micro elements may have decreased and phosphorus may have turned into an insoluble form in the form of calcium phosphate. The deficient micro element can be given from the leaf due to its difficult availability. Organic fertilization may be beneficial due to the low amount of organic matter. However, when each sample is evaluated separately, it has been determined that an element has a high value in the soil, but it is less in the grain or it is in a high value in the grain although it is less in the soil. There is no direct proportion between these data. It is thought that different factors such as soil cultivation and fertilizer application method may cause this situation.