Quantifying Variability in Maize Yield Response to Nutrient Applications in the Northern Nigerian Savanna

Abstract

Diagnostic on-farm nutrient omission trials were conducted over two cropping seasons (2015 and 2016) to assess soil nutrients related constraints to maize yield in the northern Nigerian savanna agro-ecological zone and to quantify their variability. Two sets of trials were conducted side by side, one with an open pollinated maize variety (OPV) and the other one with a hybrid maize variety and each set had six equal treatments laid out in 198 farmers' fields. The treatments comprised (i) a control, (ii) a PK ('−N,' without N), (iii) an NK ('−P,' without P), (iv) an NP ('−K,' without K), (v) an NPK and (vi) an NPK + S + Ca + Mg + Zn + B ('+SMM,' NPK plus secondary macro-and micro-nutrients). Moderate to a large variability in most soil characteristics was observed in the studied fields. Consequently, cluster analysis revealed three distinct yield-nutrient response classes common for the two types of maize varieties. These define classes were fields that have (i) no-response to any nutrient, (ii) a large response to N and P and (iii) a large response to N alone. Although overall yield performance of OPV and hybrid varieties was similar, a distinct fourth class was identified for the hybrid variety, (iv) fields with a large response to N and secondary macro-and micro-nutrients. The results indicate that the large variability in soil nutrients related constraints need to be accounted for to optimize maize yield in the northern Nigerian savanna. The development of field-and area-specific fertilizer recommendations is highly needed, using simple decision support tools that consider variable soil fertility conditions and yield responses as obtained from this study.

Balanced nutrient requirements for maize in the Northern Nigerian Savanna: Parameterization and validation of QUEFTS model

“…The lack of a significant increase in grain yield due the addition of secondary macronutrients (S, Ca and Mg) and micronutrients (Zn and B) suggest that these nutrients are not significantly limiting maize yield in the studied area. A significant extra yield increases due to the addition of the secondary macronutrients and micronutrients was observed in only 7 fields (Shehu et al, 2018). The larger grain yield and total dry matter in the NGS compared with the SS could be explained by the amount of rainfall, as the larger relative rainfall amount and duration in the NGS favoured more maize biomass production than in the SS.…”

“…Fertilizer use for maize production in the Northern Nigerian Savanna as the case in other agroecological zones of Nigeria, has been conventionally promoted through blanket recommendations regardless of wide variability in soil, climate and management regimes. The use of blanket fertilizer recommendations, however, is bound to create imbalanced crop nutrition since maize is cultivated in highly heterogeneous fields (Kihara et al, 2016; Shehu et al, 2018). Such imbalances lead to increased nutrient losses and low fertilizer use efficiency (Cassman et al, 2002), which can impede productivity, profitability and sustainability of a farm (Ezui et al, 2016).…”

Mapping Maize Fields by Using Multi-Temporal Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-2A Images in Makarfi, Northern Nigeria, Africa

“…Makarfi Local Government Area (central latitude 11 • 22'N and longitude 7 • 52'E) located in Kaduna State, Nigeria (Figure 1). Makarfi is one of the major maize growing areas of Kaduna State and has higher average productivity compared to other local government areas [41]. The main maize growing system in this county relies on smallholder farms, where most of the farm sizes are fragmented by various land cover types.…”

Understanding the Interdependence and Temporal Dynamics of Smallholders’ Adoption of Soil Conservation Practices: Evidence from Nigeria

“…Soil fertility depletion is one of the main biophysical factors that contribute to substantial crop yield gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which poses a threat to achieving food security in the region [1][2][3][4]. In particular, it contributes to explaining the low maize yield and economic returns in Nigeria and SSA in general [5][6][7][8][9]. Addressing this challenge through the traditional fallow systems has become almost impossible for smallholder farmers given the decline in per capita landholding associated with rising population pressure, which results in continuous cropping and soil exploitation [10,11].…”