Seed coating and band placement of phosphorus improved phosphorus use efficiency and maize productivity

Low phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) limits maize productivity in calcareous soils due to severe fixation losses. In this context, improved fertilizer placement strategies such as band placement (BP) and seed coating (SC) may enhance nutrient recovery and contribute to sustainable phosphorus management. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate maize productivity and PUE following seed coating and band placement using di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and single superphosphate (SSP). Treatments included control (no P), SC with SSP, SC with DAP, BP with SSP, BP with DAP, SC with SSP + BP with SSP, SC with SSP + BP with DAP, SC with DAP + BP with SSP, and SC with DAP + BP with DAP, arranged in RCBD with three replications. The combined application of SC with SSP + BP with SSP produced the highest grain yield (7.72 t ha−1), biological yield (19.33 t ha−1), grains per cob (382.9), 1,000-grain weight (260.3 g), PUE (30.76%), and grain protein content (9.54%). Results indicate that integrating SC and BP improves phosphorus recovery, reduces fixation losses, and enhances maize productivity under alkaline calcareous conditions, supporting circular nutrient management strategies.