Effects of NPKs Fertilizers (Granule and Briquette) on some Soil Properties, Growth and Yield of Maize.

Abstract

The primary objective of this multilocational study was to investigate the impact of NPKS fertilizers, specifically in granule and briquette forms, on selected soil properties, growth parameters, and the yield of maize (Zea mays). Seven distinct fertilizer treatments; the T1 (Control), T2 (Granule NPK 10- 20-20 (500 g/plot) + Granule Urea 217.2 kg/ha), T3 (Granule NPKS 10- 20-20-3 (1500 g/plot) + Granule Urea 217 g/plot), T4 (Granule NPKS 10- 20-20-3 (400 kg/ha) + Granule Urea 217 g/plot), T5 (Granule NPKS 10- 20-20-3 (400 kg/ha) + No Urea), T6 (Briquette NPKS 10- 20-20-3 (3briquettes/hill) + Briquette Urea (2 briquettes/hill), and T7 (Briquette NPKS 10- 20-20-3 (3 briquettes/hill) + Briquette Urea (1 briquette/hill), were employed in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Soil properties were assessed, including pH, available phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), micronutrients (boron, copper, zinc), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (N), organic matter, carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, and physical properties (bulk density, porosity, particle density, infiltration, texture). Findings revealed stable pH levels, low available P, and suboptimal exchangeable K levels in the soil, indicating that the treatment did not have any significant impact on the chemical properties of the soil. Vegetative growth parameters, including plant height, leaf number, chlorophyll content, and leaf area, varied among treatments, with granule fertilizers generally outperforming briquettes. In respect to cob length, and cob diameter, there was significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among treatments compared with control at only Atebubu where T4 and T3 produced cobs with the highest length and diameter respectively. Total grain weight exhibited no significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) among treatments, with T3 and T5 producing the highest grain weight per plot at Atebubu and Nsapor respectively. In conclusion, the study highlights the influence of NPKS fertilizers in granule and briquette forms on soil properties, maize growth, and yield, with the granules performing than the briquette. It emphasizes the need for further research into the binding agent of the briquette. It has been observed that briquettes could not easily breakdown for plant use. Long-term studies are recommended to assess cumulative effects of the briquette on soil properties and crop productivity. These may include planting on the land after harvest to observe the long-term effect (residual effect) of the briquettes.