Response of maize growth and development to mineral fertilizer and soil characteristics in Northern Ghana

2014

English

Soil nutrient depletion- as a result of continuous cultivation of soils without adequate addition of external inputs- is a major challenge in the Northern region of Ghana. This has led to the adoption of integrated soil fertility management techniques which combines the use of mineral fertilizers as well as maintains soil quality and health. Field experiments were conducted in 2010 to compare the response of maize growth and development to mineral fertilizer and soil characteristics in Northern Ghana. Mineral fertilizers (N-P2O5-K2O) at the rate of 0-0-0, 40-60-60, 80-60-60, 120-60-60, 150-60-60, 120-0-60, 120-45-60, 120-90-60, 120-60-0, 120-60-45 and 120-60-90 kg ha-1 were applied to the experimental field located at Kpalesawgu in Tolon-Kunbungu district of Northern Ghana. The treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications. Soil sampled at 15 cm depth analysis using Genstat statistical package showed less coefficient of variation in percent nitrogen, organic carbon, available phosphorus and pH. Minimum and maximum recorded were 0.020 and 0.081, 0.230 and 0.940, 0.001 and 0.038; and 5.080 and 6.240 for percentage nitrogen, organic carbon, available phosphorus and pH, respectively. On the contrary, soil physical characteristics showed quite remarkable variation in percentage silt, clay and stones. Minimum and maximum values recorded were 0.020 and 14.45, 17.0 and 21.3; and 4 and 26.10 for silt, clay and stones, respectively. Statistical analyses showed that mineral fertilizer significantly affected maize grain yield (P<0.05) as well as stover weight (P<0.001). Similarly mineral fertilizer affected harvest index significantly (P<0.05). Regression analysis showed positive correlation between number of days for 50% tasseling and number of days to physiological maturity (P<0.001). However there is an inverse relationship between the numbers of days to physiological maturity.

Atakora, W. K.; Fosu, M.; Safo, E. Y.; Tuffour, H. O.; Tetteh, F. M.