Sustainable Maize Forage Production: Effect of Organic Amendments Combined with Microbial Biofertilizers Across Different Soil Textures

This study aimed to assess whether the fertilizing effects of compost (Com) and vermicompost (VCom) applied to a preceding wheat crop, either alone or in combination with microbial biofertilizers (MBF; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria), could sustain forage maize yield across contrasting soil textures. A split–split plot trial was conducted in 2023 in sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Treatments included Com, VCom, standard mineral nitrogen fertilization, and unfertilized control, each tested with or without MBF inoculation. Maize was harvested at the milk–dough stage and assessed for biomass yield, dry matter partitioning, chemical composition, and in vitro digestibility. Interactions among factors were frequent, particularly with soil texture, but overall, Com and VCom sustained biomass yield and forage quality, especially when combined with MBF. Notably, in loamy soil, VCom coupled with MBF (38.4 t ha−1) outperformed mineral fertilization (32.9 t ha−1). Across soils, loam produced the highest dry matter yield (27.0 t ha−1) and sand the lowest (23.7 t ha−1), while clay showed variable responses depending on the amendment–MBFs combination. All plots treated with the MBFconsistently exhibited higher yields compared to their respective controls, with an average increase of 52.6% across texture and fertilization strategies. Fertilization strategy and soil texture slightly yet significantly affected maize chemical composition, while digestibility remained largely preserved. Crude protein concentration peaked under mineral fertilization in loamy soil (8.3% dry matter). These findings highlight the potential of bio-based fertilizers, especially when integrated with microbial inoculants, to reduce mineral nitrogen dependency and support the sustainable intensification of forage maize.