Growth and Yield Performance of Maize (Zea mays L.) as Influenced by Different inorganic Fertilizers Briquette Application.

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at AAMUSTED research field, Mampong campus and at Ejura Agricultural College crop farm from April to August, 2021. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of different inorganic fertilizers briquette application on growth and yield of maize. The experimental design used for both trials was Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. There were eight (8) treatments made up of different rates of inorganic fertilizers formulated into briquette namely: (T1 = NPK 23-10-5, T2 = NPK 20-10-10, T3 = NPK 20-10-10+3S, T4 = NPK 23-10-5+P+S+K, T5 = NPK 15-20-20+0.7 Zn, T6 = NPK 12-30-17 +0.4Zn, T7 = NPK 11-22-21 +5S +0.7Zn +0.5B. The result revealed that NPK 12-30-17+0.4Zn tasseled and silked earlier than other treatments and was significantly different from NPK 11-2221+5S+0.7Zn+0.5B and NPK 23-10-5+PR+P+K+S+Zn, respectively. There were a significantly taller plants at 7 WAP, higher number of leaves per plant at 13 WAP, wider stem diameter at 13 WAP with plants grown on NPK 12-30-17+0.4Zn in Mampong across the growing period than other treatments. Similarly, NPK 12-30-17+0.4Zn application produced significantly higher number of cobs per plot, dehusked cob weight per plot, grain weight per plot and grain yield than NPK 23-10-5 which had the least mean values for the Ejura field. Meanwhile, NPK 15-20-20 +0.7Zn had significantly higher total stover weight per plot at harvest at Ejura compared to NPK 23-10-5 with the least mean value. Grain weight per plot, total stover weight per plot at harvest and grain yield for maize planted on NPK 12-30-17+0.4Zn were significantly higher in Mampong than those planted at Ejura. It is recommended that farmers are encouraged to apply NPK 12-30- 17+0.4Zn to their maize for higher growth and yield with sustained soil fertility.