Growth and Yield Performance of Maize (Zea mays L.) as Affected by Blended Basal Fertilizer and Briquette N Top Dressing.

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) remains a key staple crop in Ghana, yet yields continue to lag behind the attainable potential due to nutrient-depleted soils, poor fertilizer use efficiency, and climate variability. This study investigated the effects of blended basal fertilizer and nitrogen briquette top dressing on the growth, yield, soil properties, and economic performance of maize. Two field experiment were conducted at different sites of the demonstration farm of Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Mampong–Ashanti, during the major (March to July) and the minor (August to December) seasons of 2023 using a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments with four replication. The treatments were: (i) No Fertilizer (Control), (ii) Granular NPK (70-50-50 kg/ha) + Urea briquettes, (iii) Granular NPK (70-50-50 kg/ha) + 20S + (NH₄)₂SO₄ briquettes, (iv) Granular NPK (90-60-60 kg/ha) + Urea briquettes and (v) Granular NPK (90-60-60 kg/ha) + 20S + (NH₄)₂SO₄ briquettes. The results showed that, the treatment involving NPK (90-60-60 kg/ha) combined with 20S and ammonium sulphate briquettes significantly outperformed all others. It recorded the highest grain yield (6.17 t/ha), cob length (19.7 cm), plant height (222.7 cm), and leaf area index (4.87). Soil chemical analysis showed improvements in pH, total nitrogen, and organic carbon. Economically, this treatment achieved the highest gross margin (GH₵8,076.00/ha), net return (GH₵5,486.00/ha), and benefit-cost ratio (2.13), making it the most profitable and resource-efficient option.The findings suggest that integrating site-specific blended basal fertilizer with urea briquette top dressing enhances maize performance, soil health, and farmer profitability more effectively than conventional granular Fertilizers. It is therefore recommended that policy frameworks such as Ghana’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme incorporate controlled-release fertilizer technologies into subsidy schemes.