# Maize Cultivation in Sun Mushroom Post-Harvest Areas: Yield, Soil Chemical Properties, and Economic Viability

## TL;DR

Growing maize in sun mushroom post-harvest areas can reduce fertilizer use and improve soil nutrients while maintaining yield and increasing economic returns.

## Contribution

This study demonstrates the economic and agronomic viability of maize cultivation in sun mushroom post-harvest areas with reduced mineral fertilizer use.

## Key findings

- SMS treatment increased soil P, Ca, and Mg levels without affecting yield in the first crop.
- SMS + S + TD achieved higher yields and economic benefits in the second crop.
- Nutritional imbalances were observed, particularly in Ca/Mg ratios, affecting nutrient absorption.

## Abstract

Cultivating crops in post-harvest areas of sun mushrooms presents an innovative alternative to reduce reliance on mineral fertilizers. Advances in crop cultivation in these areas could make this a sustainable solution for enhancing food security. We evaluated maize cultivation in a sun mushroom post-harvest area, focusing on soil and leaf macronutrient composition, yield factors, and economic benefits. Four management practices were tested: a post-harvest area without mineral fertilization (SMS); a post-harvest area with fertilization at sowing (SMS + S); a post-harvest area with fertilization at sowing and topdressing (SMS + S + TD); and a control area with standard mineral fertilization. The SMS treatment maintained adequate soil pH and electrical conductivity, and in the first crop, increased soil P, Ca, and Mg levels by 5%, 140%, and 23%, respectively, without significantly affecting yield compared to the control. However, nutrient absorption faced challenges due to a nutritional imbalance of Ca/Mg. In the second crop, SMS + S + TD was crucial for higher yields (up to 6500 kg ha−1) and showed similarity to the control in a Nearest Neighbor Analysis, particularly in leaf N content. Regarding the economic benefits, SMS reduced mineral fertilization in the first crop, increasing the net benefit by up to 380%, while in the second crop, topdressing became indispensable for the SMS area, with SMS + S + TD generating the greatest net benefit.