Agronomic Practices of Maize and Farm Nutrient Status in Bako Tibe District, West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia: Lesson from Agronomic Panel Survey

Abstract

Agronomic panel survey was conducted in Bako Tibe district to assess current farmers maize agronomic practices and associated actual maize grain yields. The survey was conducted using 100 households. Most of the maize farms (90%) were characterized as having strongly to strongly acidic soils, low to medium SOC, medium to high TN, very low to low av.P, high to very high exch. K, low to medium exch.Ca, and medium to high exch. Mg, high av. Zn and Fe and very high Mn contents. Most farmers (94%) grow improved maize varieties and 80% of them grew a pioneering hybrid Limu and Bako hybrids BH540 and BH543. Most farmers (97%) apply different inorganic fertilizers and of them >70% of them applied NPS+Urea or NPS alone. Farmers rarely retain crop residue. Most farmers (81%) maintain lower plant density at harvest than the recommended density and the density declined from vegetative to harvesting stage. About 99% of the farmers grow sole maize, 57% rotate maize with other. Percent weed cover of the farms were 25% on average but reached as high as 80%. About 87.5%, 86%, 75% of farmers harvested grain yield that was higher than the national, regional and zonal average, respectively. Since most maize farms (90%) were very strongly to strongly acidic, there is a need to apply lime to improve maize productivity and nutrient use efficiency in the area. The poor weed and crop residue management, sole cropping of maize and lower plant densities practiced by farmers were among the gaps observed that potentially reduce maize productivity in the study area unless the extension sector intervenes. However, the current trend improved maize varieties and inorganic fertilizers use is promising and needs to be encouraged for intensification of maize production in the study area. Contribution/Originality: This paper serves as the most recent study on maize agronomy in Ethiopia in giving sight to the nutrient status of soils of the best maize growing district in the region. It also gives an insight into what the maize agronomic practices (cropping system, crop residue management fertilizer, and improved maize variety use) look like in the distinct. 1. INTRODUCTION Maize is the second most widely cultivated crop in Ethiopia and is grown under diverse agro-ecologies and socioeconomic conditions typically under rain-fed condition (Abate et al., 2015). Maize has expanded rapidly in terms of both area and production. Following the increasing trend of farmers' investment on required inputs, mainly in improved seeds and chemical fertilizers, maize productivity has also dramatically increased in Ethiopia. As a result, maize has had a positive impact on poverty reduction in many parts of the country (Abate et al., 2015).

Maize (Zea mays L.) Productivity as affected by different ratios of fertilizer (blended NPS) and inter row spacing at West Omo, South-West Ethiopia

“…Insufficient nutrient application results in slow development and delayed silking (Gurmu et al, 2020). The result was in line with Balemi et al (2019) and Bakala (2018), who reported that as the rate of application of blende NPS fertilizer increased, there was a reduction in the number of days to 50% in maize crops. Days to 90% maturity: Days to 90% maturity was significantly (p 0.05) influenced by the interaction and the Main effects (p 0.01) of blended NPS fertilizer and betweenrow spacing.…”

“…The idea is similar to that of Khan et al (2017), who found that increasing plant population density increased plant height. Balemi et al (2019) also found that increasing the application of blended fertilizers with smaller between-row spacing significantly increases plant height. While sparsely populated plants intercepted enough sunlight to promote lateral growth, the plant's height became medium.…”

“…Murphy (1968) determined that the overall N concentration of soil is low. The nitrogen need of the maize crops is between (0.19-0.25%) (Balemi, et al, 2019). Therefore, the total nitrogen of the experimental soil is rated as low.…”

“…Maize is currently the most prominent crop grown by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia's highlands and lowlands. (Balemi, et al, 2019). However, the estimated average yield of maize for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia is below 3.2 t ha -1 (CSA, 2020) which is Mach lower than productivity in industrialized countries such as the USA which is 8-9 t ha -1 (FAO, 2020).…”

“…Like disease and pests, lack of suitable variety, lack of soil fertility, shortage of capital to purchase farm input materials, lack of transportation during harvesting and improper spacing (Karaye, 2017). The yield gap is multi-faced but nearly always contains inappropriate spacing and poor soil fertility management is the most chronic issue (Balemi, et al 2019). The severe deterioration in soil fertility in south-western Ethiopia is because of leaching of the presence of the high amount of rainfall (Orebo et al, 2021).…”