Influence of Staymoist on soil moisture stress management and productivity of maize in the Guinea savannah zone of Ghana.

2013

English

Intermittent droughts have in recent years become more frequent and more prolonged in the Guinea savannah agro-ecological zone (GSZ) due to climate change, contributing to increasingly severe yield losses of maize (Zea mays L.), a key food crop in Ghana. The goal of this work was to minimize the negative impact of drought induced soil water stress on maize productivity in the GSZ through the integrated use of early drought tolerant cultivars of maize (Dorke SR and Dodzi), the application of soil conditioner staymoist (SM) and NPK (15-15-15) fertilizer. Experiments were carried out during the period of 2010-2011 cropping seasons at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), Ghana. A trial comprised five treatments laid in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The treatments were: T1-No SM+No NPK (Control); T2-0 kg/ha SM+NPK; T3-7.5 kg/ha SM+NPK, T4-15 kg/ha SM+NPK and T5-22.5 kg/ha SM+NPK. Dorke SR generally out yielded Dodzi in grain and stover yields and in total biomass accumulation in all five treatments. Dodzi grain yields for T3, T4 and T5 were 1176, 1559 and 1734 kg/ha, respectively while Dorke SR grain yields for the same treatments were 1386, 1865 and 1971 kg/ha respectively, which were all significantly (P<0.05) higher than the treatments without SM (T1 and T2) for both cultivars. Dodzi total biomass yields for T3, T4 and T5 were 3148, 3591 and 3885 kg/ha respectively while Dorke SR total biomass accumulation for the same treatments were 4970, 6909 and 7302 kg/ha respectively, which were all significantly (P<0.05) higher again than the treatments without SM (T1 and T2). The results obtained indicate that relatively small amounts of SM were required together with recommended maize fertilization rate to alleviate drought spells and improve maize yields. The optimum treatment was 15 kg/ha SM+NPK. Beyond this rate positive profit declined.

Baba, I. I. Y.; Mumuni, A.; Haruna, M.; Wiredu, A. N.; Mawunya, M.