In this study, the fertilizing effect of struvite (MgNH(4)PO(4 center dot)6H(2)O) precipitate recovered from dairy industry wastewater on the growth and nutrition of maize plants was investigated. The obtained struvite precipitate was analyzed by XRD, FUR and SEM. XRD and FTIR results confirmed the identity of the struvite precipitate. The obtained struvite precipitate was found to have 3.30% N, 11.13% P, 8.64% Mg and 0.73% K contents. The contents of the heavy metals Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg were below their detection limits. The fertilizing effect of the struvite precipitate on the growth and nutrition of maize plants was investigated by conducting a pot trial employing control and chemical fertilizer applications. The trial was conducted with four replicates. Fresh and dry weights and nutrient elements of the maize plant were investigated under different fertilizer application conditions. There was a significant difference in the fresh weight and N, P, Ca, Fe, Mn and Pb concentrations of maize plants with all fertilizer applications within 95% confidence limits (P<0.05). Phosphorus uptake in struvite application was significantly higher than those in other applications. No significant differences were found in N and Mn uptakes between struvite, NPK and N applications. Pb concentrations in struvite and control applications were found to be significantly lower than those in other applications. The results obtained in the study show that stnivite precipitate recovered from dairy industry wastewater is beneficial to the growth and nutrition of maize plants and can be an effective source of fertilizer.