Fertilizer and Genotype Effects on Maize Production on Two Soils in the Northern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Soils in the Guinea Savanna agro-ecological zone of Ghana are depleted in major nutrients by continuous cropping and residue removal, resulting in low maize yields. While many studies have assessed the fertilizer requirements for maize, most did not account for the role of the soil type and maize genotype. A study was conducted on Plinthosol and Lixisol in the Tolon district of the Northern Region of Ghana to assess fertilizer and genotype effects on maize productivity. Two maize genotypes (i.e. Obatanpa -110 days to maturity) and (Dodzie -75 days to maturity) were compared at three fertilizer application rates (i.e. 0-0-0, 60-15-35 and 90-25-50 kg ha -1 N, P K) in a randomized complete block design using four replications, with genotype allocated to the main plots and fertilizer levels to the subplots. Soils were characterized, revealing very low total N and available P concentrations in the top layers. Grain yield was significantly affected by maize genotype, irrespective of the soil type. The longer-duration (Obatanpa) tended to out yield the short duration genotype (Dodzie), and generally outperformed Dodzie in all yield parameters except for the harvest index on Plinthosol. Inorganic fertilizers significantly (P<0.001) increased yield and all yield parameters over the control on both soils, with yield increases of 84 and 90% at 60-15-35 and 90-25-50 kg ha -1 N, P K, respectively. Genotype by fertilizer interaction was highly significant (P<0.001) for grain yield on both soils. We conclude that farmers in the Guinea Savannah agro-ecological zone of Ghana need to supply nutrients to enhance grain yields of maize, irrespective of the prevailing soil type.

Influence of vermifiltered wastewater on the morphological, physiological and biochemical developments of Zea mays, Triticum aestivum and Sorghum bicolor seed germination

“…1,2 In Ghana, cereals such as maize, sorghum and wheat are broadly appreciated as stable crops. 1 More than 50% of cereal cultivation is carried out under rain fed conditions because of water shortages. 3 Despite the importance of cereals to Ghana's economy, the production yield has been approximately 1.5 tonnes ha −1 since 2000 and this is far below the international output.…”

“…Food security is an issue in the sub‐saharan as a result of the low production of agricultural produce such as cereal production that provides great economic well‐being 1,2 . In Ghana, cereals such as maize, sorghum and wheat are broadly appreciated as stable crops 1 . More than 50% of cereal cultivation is carried out under rain fed conditions because of water shortages 3 .…”

A Review of genetic improvement mechanisms of maize (Zea mays L.) in breeding for nitrogen use efficiency

“…Food security is a problem and international distress even today which has a direct effect to the people worldwide, especially in Sub Saharan Africa (FOA, 2017). Maize is globally serves as a source of diet, silage and industrial raw material in the manufacturing (Tahiru et al, 2015). In Ethiopia, it is the second largest food security crop after tef (Eragrostis tef) in area coverage and the first in its productivity (Abera et al, 2013).…”

“…As several investigations indicated that in order to meet the increasing desires of the world population, food security in the starvation areas and improving the use of non-renewable resources could be proficient through the development and use of productive varieties (Tahiru et al, 2015). The agronomic solution as well provides to increase the productivity such as urea [CO (NH 2 ) 2 ] and ammonium sulfate [(NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 ] are the two main N bases exploited for maize (Alva et al 2006).…”