Growth and Yield Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to NPK Briquette and Granule Fertilizers.

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted concurrently at Atebubu in the Atebubu Municipality in the Bono East Region and Dormaa Ahenkro in the Dormaa Municipality in the Bono Region of Ghana from April to August, 2022. The primary objective of the study was to determine the growth and yield of maize to different rates of NPK briquette and granule fertilizers. The experimental design used was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The treatments were; T1-No Fertilizer (Control), T2-Granule (120-40-40 kg/ha NPK), T3-Granule (116-48-46 kg/ha NPK), T4-Granule (86-48-46 kg/ha NPK), T5-Granule (55-48 46 kg/ha NPK), T6-Briquette (116-48-46 kg/ha NPK), T7-Briquette (86-48-46 kg/ha NPK) and T8-Briquette (55-48-46 kg/ha NPK). The result showed that amending soils with briquette and granule NPK fertilizers had a positive impact on the chemical properties (OM, CEC, Fe, K, Zn) of the soil at both experimental sites. The NPK fertilizer in the form of briquettes and granule did not influence percentage crop establishment, number of days to 50% tasseling and 50% silking. Maize plants that received briquette and Granule (55-48-46 kg/ha NPK) recorded significantly higher crop growth rates (CGR) than the control from 0-7 and 7-9WAP at both locations whereas maize plants that received granules and briquette (116-48-46 kg/ha NPK) and (55-48-46 kg/ha NPK) fertilizer recorded significantly higher RGR than the control at both locations. The application of granule and briquette (116-48-46 kg/ha NPK) fertilizer to maize enhanced vegetative growth parameters across both locations. Maize plant that received granule and briquette (116-48-46 kg/ha NPK) were superior in all the yield and yield component measured then the control across both locations. The grain yield ranged between 5.53 - 5.92t ha-1 and 5.53 to 5.52 t ha-1 at Atebubu and Dormaa Ahenkro respectively. It is recommended that for optimized grain yield and heavy grains, maize farmers should apply Granule and briquette (116 - 48 - 46 kg/ha NPK). Additionally, the study should be repeated in other agro-ecological zones of Ghana to confirm the results obtained.