On-farm evaluation of the contribution of sole and mixed applications of organic matter and urea to maize grain production in the Savannah.

Abstract

The study was conducted in research villages in the derived savannah (DS) and northern Guinea savannah (NGS) benchmark areas of the Ecoregional Programme for the humid and sub-humid tropics in Sub-Saharan Africa to investigate the possible benefits of combining organic matter with urea under a range of on-farm conditions. Biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics of the area are discussed. The maize response to combined applications of organic matter and urea in on-station field trials at four locations (Bouaké, central Côte d'Ivoire; Glidji, southern Togo; Sékou, southern Benin and Zaria, northern Nigeria) and the maize grain yield in a researcher-managed on-farm trial in two villages (Eglimé and Zouzouvou) in the DS benchmark area, southern Benin, and in two other villages (Kayawa and Danayamaka) in the NGS benchmark area, northern Nigeria, are presented and discussed. In the DS, a 2-year farmer-managed trial was initiated in 1999 by the Research and Development branch of INRAB in southern Benin, wherein cowpea was used as an in-situ source of organic matter. In the NGS, demonstration trials were initiated at seven states of the northwestern and northeastern Nigeria. Preliminary yield data support observations made earlier under on-station and researcher-managed on-farm conditions: maize grain yields in the sole fertilizer treatment were similar to yields in the mixture treatment in which approximately 40% of the fertilizer N was substituted by manure.

Potential nutrient supply, nutrient utilization efficiencies, fertilizer recovery rates and maize yield in northern Nigeria

“…The land use on the experimental sites before the experiments were set up was cultivation of maize, millet or sorghum with or without fertilizer application. Where fertilizers were used, the application rates were often far below those recommended for the agro-ecological zone (Manyong et al 2001;Iwuafor et al 2002).…”

Agroecological analysis and economic benefit of organic resources and fertiliser in till and no-till sorghum production after a 6-year fallow in semi-arid West Africa

“…the benefit of the combined application is equal to the sum of the benefits from the two components when applied in isolation) or truly leads to a positive or negative interaction (Iwuafor et al 2002). More often, this issue is not taken into account in the combined organic resource and fertiliser experiments and has on occasion led to the wrong conclusions and recommendations.…”

Effects of Cow Dung Treated to Various Management Practices and Nitrogen Levels on Maize Grain Yield in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

“…This agreed with the work of Uyovbisere and Elemo (2002) who stated that organic matter cannot be used alone, but with some level of inorganic fertilizer. It has been recognized that the combined application of organic matter and inorganic fertilizer is required to increase crop production and arrest soil nutrient depletion in West Africa (FAO, 1999;Giller, 2002;Iwuafor et al, 2002). Tanimu, Iwuafor, Odunze and Tian (2007) reported higher doses of N fertilizers increased grain yield and yield related components of maize.…”

“…However, the information that is lacking to most of the farmers is the methods of manure management practices for optimal quality before field application and time of application of animal manure for optimum crop production. Also, Iwuafor et al (2002) observed that, the results of trials conducted in the northern guinea savanna showed the need to investigate the high variability in manure quality across different farmers/sites, and to look for ways to avoid losses during manure storage, or at least to establish ranges of N contents for manures with different origins and storage methods. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to determine the effects of cow dung subjected to different management practices and Urea fertilizer on maize grain yield in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria.…”

“…The beneficial role of animal manure in crop production has long been recognized (Schlecht, Mahler, Sangare, Susenbth, & Becker, 1995;Karanja, Kapkiyai, Bunyasi, & Murage, 1997;Harris, Lyord, Hofni-Collins, Barrett, & Brown, 1997). The utilization of cattle manure as a soil amendment is an integral part of the Nigerian guinea savanna farmers (Harris & Yusuf, 2001;Iwuafor et al, 2002). However, the information that is lacking to most of the farmers is the methods of manure management practices for optimal quality before field application and time of application of animal manure for optimum crop production.…”