This process is typically slower and may continue even after the harvest, leading to sustained nutrient availability in the soil. In contrast, NPK fertilizers provide nutrients in forms that are readily available to plants, bypassing the need for microbial decomposition. Consequently, nutrient release from NPK fertilizers is more rapid, leading to lower residual levels in the soil after harvest. NPK fertilizers tend to leave less residual nutrients in the soil after harvest compared to Fertilizer C and manure due to their balanced nutrient composition, high solubility, efficient plant uptake, and rapid nutrient release. These factors contribute to more effective nutrient utilization by crops and minimize nutrient accumulation in the soil over time although the accumulated nutrient might be highly beneficial to the next crop planted in such soil. Distinct nutrient release patterns were observed from fertilizers B and C, which surpassed the efficacy of NPK fertilizer. Additionally, organic matter persisted as shown in the total carbon content in Table and their appearance in figure , enhancing soil structure, resulting in improved water retention, nutrient holding, and microbial activity-crucial factors for enhancing maize growth.