Influence of NPK (Granule and Briquette) +Urea Fertilizers on selected Soil Properties, Growth and Yield of Maize.

Abstract

Two field studies were conducted simultaneously at two locations in Atebubu (Bono East region) and Adomase (Bono region) of Ghana during the 2022 major crop growing seasons to determine the effect of NPK (Granule and Briquette) + Urea fertilizers on selected soil properties, growth and yield of maize. The experimental design used was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications The treatment evaluated were; I, Control with no amendment, II, Granule NPK+Urea at 200 kg/ha, III, Granule NPK+Zn + Urea at 133.2 kg/, IV, Granule NPK+Zn + Urea at 120.2 kg/ha, V, Granule NPK+Urea at 152 kg/ha, VI, Briquette NPK+Urea at 115.2 kg/ha, VII, Briquette NPK+Urea at 57.6 kg/ha, and VIII, Briquette NPK+Urea at 100 kg/ha. The basal amendments (NPK granule and briquette) were applied three weeks after sowing (3 WAS) and the top dressing (Urea granule and briquette) at seven weeks after sowing (7 WAS). The results of the study demonstrated no significant differences among treatments for the soil chemical properties such as: pH, total nutrients (N, P, K, B, Zn, Fe, Cu, CEC, C/N ratio) and extractable nutrients (P, K, Ca, B, Mn) and soil organic carbon content. With respect to maize growth, the treatments showed significant differences compared to the control. There were significant differences (p=<0.05) among treatments with leaf chlorophyll content, in which (Granule NPK+ Urea at 200 kg/ha) and (Granule NPK + Urea at 152 kg/ha), recorded the highest values of 51.4 and 48.2 SPAD, respectively. Again, Granule NPK +Urea at 200 kg/ha recorded the highest significant value in maize stem diameter, internode length and leaf area. The influence of the treatments significantly increased 100 seed weight. The highest Grain yield value of 4.31 t/ha was recorded by both Granule NPK + Urea at 200 kg/ha and Granule NPK+Zn + Urea at 120.2 kg/ha. The second highest value 3.94 t/ha was recorded by Granule NPK + Urea at 152 kg/ha. The least 2.87 t/ha was recorded by the control. Briquette NPK+Urea at 115.2 kg/ha, as well as Briquette NPK + Urea at 100 kg/ha have performed in equal measures with Granule NPK+Urea fertilizers in the following parameters; biomass at harvest, 100 seed weight, leaf area and cob weight. In conclusion, the Briquette NPK+Urea fertilizers exerted as mush similar effects on soil properties and on growth and yield of maize as the commonly used granule fertilizers even though, the briquette fertilizers were applied at lower rates than the granule fertilizers. Briquette fertilizers are promising and could be an alternate N source to granule fertilizers.