Dataset Information

Economically Optimal Rate for Nutrient Application to Maize in the Semi-deciduous Forest Zone of Ghana.

ABSTRACT: Low inherent nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents of smallholder farms limit maize grain yield. Maize grain yield response to N, P, and K mineral fertilizer application and economically optimal rates for nitrogen (EOR^N), phosphorus (EOR^P), and potassium (EOR^K) were evaluated on a Ferric Acrisol within the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. The nutrient rates evaluated were N (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg N ha^-1), P (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha^-1 P₂O₅), and K (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha^-1 K₂O). The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block with three replications using an incomplete factorial design. Nutrient responses were determined using asymptotic quadratic-plus plateau functions. The best nitrogen rate for all P and K levels was 60 kg ha^-1, which gave grain yield of 5 t ha^-1 . Nitrogen uptake, N agronomic and N recovery efficiencies peaked at 60 kg N ha^-1 while N partial factor productivity declined with increasing N application rate. Cost to grain price ratios (CP) were 1.29, 1.65, and 1.65 for N, P, and K, respectively. The EOR^N was 61 kg ha^-1, 32% less than the recommended 90 kg N ha^-1 for maize production in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. Nitrogen application had the lowest CP ratio, making its application economically profitable than P and K. The findings suggest that the application of N at 61 kg N ha^-1 to maize is economically profitable than at higher application rates. However, further studies should be conducted on farmers' fields to validate the results obtained.

SUBMITTER: Essel B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7655581 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Economically Optimal Rate for Nutrient Application to Maize in the Semi-deciduous Forest Zone of Ghana.

Essel Benedicta B Abaidoo Robert Clement RC Opoku Andrews A Ewusi-Mensah Nana N

Journal of soil science and plant nutrition 20200417 4

Low inherent nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents of smallholder farms limit maize grain yield. Maize grain yield response to N, P, and K mineral fertilizer application and economically optimal rates for nitrogen (EORN), phosphorus (EORP), and potassium (EORK) were evaluated on a Ferric Acrisol within the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. The nutrient rates evaluated were N (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg N ha-1), P (0, 30, 60, and 90 ...[more]

PMID: 33191974

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Maize is the most produced crop in Sub-Saharan Africa, but yields are low and climate change is projected to further constrain smallholder production. The current efforts to breed and disseminate new high yielding and climate ready maize varieties are implemented through the formal seed system; the chain of public and private sector activities and institutions that produce and release certified seeds. These efforts are taking place in contexts currently dominated by informal seed systems; local and informal seed management and exchange channels with a long history of adapting crops to local conditions. We here present a case study of the genetic effects of both formal and informal seed management from the semi-arid zone in Tanzania. RESULTS:Two open pollinated varieties (OPVs), Staha and TMV1, first released by the formal seed system in the 1980s are cultivated on two-thirds of the maize fields among the surveyed households. Farmer-recycling of improved varieties and seed selection are common on-farm seed management practices. Drought tolerance and high yield are the most important characteristics reported as reason for cultivating the current varieties as well as the most important criteria for farmers' seed selection. Bayesian cluster analysis, PCA and FST analyses based on 131 SNPs clearly distinguish between the two OPVs, and despite considerable heterogeneity between and within seed lots, there is insignificant differentiation between breeder's seeds and commercial seeds in both OPVs. Genetic separation increases as the formal system varieties enter the informal system and both hybridization with unrelated varieties and directional selection probably play a role in the differentiation. Using a Bayesian association approach we identify three loci putatively under selection in the informal seed system. CONCLUSIONS:Our results suggest that the formal seed system in the study area distributes seed lots that are true to type. We suggest that hybridization and directional selection differentiate farmer recycled seed lots from the original varieties and potentially lead to beneficial creolization. Access to drought tolerant OPVs in combination with farmer seed selection is likely to enhance seed system security and farmers' adaptive capacity in the face of climate change.

Dataset Information

Economically Optimal Rate for Nutrient Application to Maize in the Semi-deciduous Forest Zone of Ghana.

Publications

Economically Optimal Rate for Nutrient Application to Maize in the Semi-deciduous Forest Zone of Ghana.

Similar Datasets

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