The influence of N and P on maize yield and yield components in maize/rice mixture in the Northern Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Most recommended fertilizer rates available for crops in the northern savanna zone of Nigeria are for crops in monoculture. In order to be able to recommend to farmers the rates of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to be applied to maize and rice in an intercropping system to increase crop yields, a field experiment was conducted at the Samaru farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Nigeria (Lat. 11o 11’ N and Long. 07o 38’ E) at 680 m above sea level on a sandy loam soil in 1990 and 1992. Factorial combination of four levels of N (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1) and three levels of P (0, 13.2 and 26.4 kg ha-1) were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Yield components of maize such as ears/m2 increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of N and P but no significant changes were observed in shelling percentage and 100 seed weight of maize. The number of panicles/m2 and number of tillers/plant were the yield components of rice that responded significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of N and P. Threshing percent and 1000 seed weight of rice were not significantly affected by increasing levels of N and P. Grain yields of maize and rice increased significantly (P < 0.05) by raising the levels of N and P. The application of 13.2 kg P ha-1 at each level of N significantly (P < 0.05) increased maize and rice yields. However, the highest grain yields of both crops were obtained when 120 kg N ha-1 and 13.2 kg P ha-1 were applied

Effects of tillage and cropping systems on yield and nitrogen fixation of cowpea intercropped with maize in northern Guinea savanna zone of Ghana

Published information is scanty on the response of crops in mixed cropping systems to the various tillage systems practised by farmers in the northern savanna zone of Ghana. A field experiment assessed the yield and nitrogen (N) fixation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) intercropped with maize (Zea mays L.) on four different tillage systems at Nyankpala in the Northern Region of Ghana. The experiment was laid in a split-plot design with four replications. The main factor was tillage systems comprising conventional (Con), bullock plough (BP), hand hoe (HH) and zero tillage (ZT). The sub-factor was cropping systems (CRPSYT) which consisted of sole maize, sole cowpea, maize/cowpea inter-row cropping system, and bare fallow in 2000. The last-named was replaced by maize/cowpea intra-row cropping system in 2001. The results showed that Con and BP, which produced over 10 cm plough depth, significantly reduced soil bulk density that favoured significant (

Sources of Pod Yield Losses in Groundnut in the Northern Savanna Zone of Ghana

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) has gained prominence as a food and cash crop due to its increasing importance, both in the domestic and export markets. Its products, such as oil and cake, are for both domestic and industrial uses. However, farm level yields in Ghana have remained as low as 800 kg/ha compared to developed countries of more than 3,000 kg/ha. Variation in the yield of the groundnut crop has been found to be a genetic trait influenced by environment or the interaction of both. In order to identify the sources responsible for these low yields on farmers’ fields, and to be able to advise them to increase their yields, a field experiment was conducted in 2007 and 2008 on a savanna soil at Nyankpala, involving three groundnut varieties, in a split-plot design replicated four times. The varieties (Chinese, Manipinta and Nkatie-Sari) were the main factor and three harvesting stages (at maturity of each variety, 1 week after and 2 weeks after the first harvest) were the sub-plots. Pod yields were between 2,500 kg/ha and 3,100 kg/ha for the three varieties in both years at physiological maturity, which were higher than yields from the subsequent harvest dates. The decline in pod yield when harvesting was delayed beyond physiological maturity was attributed to insect infestation of the pods, sprouting of the nuts in the soil and difficulties in harvesting, resulting in most of the nuts either not harvested or physically damaged. The Chinese variety had more sprouted nuts as well as nuts left not harvested in the soil probably due to its spreading nature compared to Manipinta and Nkatie-Sari, which can be described as the bunch types. Nkatie-Sari significantly gave the highest pod yield at each stage of harvest than the other varieties. It is advisable that farmers plant improved varieties, making sure they harvest at physiological maturity, before the onset of the dry season, in order to obtain optimum pod yields of the groundnut

Growth and yield response of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrrill] to inoculation and starter N fertilizer applications in the Tolon District of the Northern Region of Ghana

An experiment was conducted at Nyankpala in the 2012 cropping season and repeated in the 2013 cropping season in the Tolon District of the Northern Region of Ghana. This was to ascertain the effect of N fertilizer and inoculant applications on the growth and grain yield of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill). It was a 3 × 5 factorial experiment laid in Randomized Complete Bock Design (RCBD) with four replications. The factors were three soybean varieties (Jenguma, Quarshie and Anidaso) and four levels of N fertilizer (urea), which were 0, 15, 30 and 45 kg N ha-1 and inoculant. The inoculant was applied at the rate of 5 g to 1 kg of soybean seed through the slurry method that was estimated to give 107 of viable rhizobia cells. Planting was done on 14th and 10th July, 2012 and 2013, respectively, by drilling. Thinning was later done to two plants hill-1 at 10 cm within rows and 50 cm between rows with an approximate plant population of 400 000 plants ha-1. The N fertilizer was applied to randomly assigned plots 2 weeks after planting (2 WAP) in drills 5 cm away from the plants and covered. Growth parameters measured were plant height, leaf area, number of primary branches, nodule and shoot dry weights. Grain yield was measured from 2 m × 2 m net plot and extrapolated to kg ha-1. Results showed that all the varieties nodulated following the inoculation. It also showed that there was promiscuous nodulation where inoculants were not applied. The inoculated treatment produced greater plant growth, grain yield and the amount of N fixed than the uninoculated control. Growth and yield were greatest in the 30 and 45 kg N ha-1 treatment compared with the other treatments. The results showed that for profitable soybean production in the study area, inoculation or 30-45 kg N ha-1 fertilizer should be applied

Participatory evaluation of drought tolerant maize varieties in the Guinea Savanna of Ghana using mother and baby trial design

Maize (Zea mays) is a major food crop in Ghana but grain yields are low as a result of drought and low soil fertility. This study evaluated drought tolerant maize varieties in 2008 and 2009 in the Guinea savanna of Ghana using researcher-managed mother and farmer-managed baby trial design. Mean grain yields ranged between 2574 and 3462 kg/ha for the mother trials and 1460 and 2328 kg/ha for baby trials. Several improved varieties performed better than the best local varieties, but two preferred varieties, TZEE Y POP STR QPM C0 and EVDT W 99 STR QPM CO which produced 35-52% more grain than the best local varieties of similar maturity rating were released in 2010. Farmers have multiple criteria for evaluating maize varieties apart from yield, though yield, larger cob and grain size were the three key criteria used by farmers to select and rank varieties. Researchers should incorporate farmers’ preferences in selecting varieties in the breeding process in order to increase likelihood of adoption of the varieties.Keywords: Drought-tolerant maize, farmer preference, mother and baby, participator

Participatory Approach to Variety Selection Using Soybean Production in Ghana as a Model

In the past, soybean varieties released in Ghana were selected primarily for grain yield potential, earliness, seed viability and low phosphorus tolerance. However, most of these varieties are not resistant to pod shattering, resulting in high grain losses. In order to identify traits farmers consider most important when deciding which soybean varieties to adopt, a participatory variety selection approach was used to evaluate varieties in two locations (Nyankpala and Wa) in the Guinea savanna zone of Ghana during the 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. Twelve medium and 14 early maturing varieties were evaluated. Farmers’ variety selection criteria and ranking did not differ across locations and gender groups. Additionally, four most preferred traits by farmer (grain yield, pod shattering, earliness and pods per plant) out of 12 traits were considered very important by farmers at both locations. In some instances, farmers’ preference for the best varieties was not exactly in line with researchers’ selection. Best four ranked varieties (TGx 1799-8F, TGx 1834-5E, TGx 1445-3E and TGx 1844-22E) were preferred by farmers because they possess positive attributes such as higher grain yields, resistance to pod shattering, numerically more pods per plant and enhanced ability to control Striga hermonthica. These varieties were later released as Suong-Pungun, Afayak, Songda and Favour, respectively for commercial production throughout Ghana. Consequently, soybean breeders should incorporate farmers’ preferred traits in selecting varieties in the breeding process in order to increase likelihood of adoption of the varieties

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on maize/rice intercropping system at Samaru, northern Nigeria

The generally low fertility status of the savanna soils requires the application of fertilizers to supply adequate amounts of nutrients needed by cereal crops to raise yields. The effect of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on grain yield, soil nitrogen and uptake of N and P by maize (Zea mays L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) in a mixed cropping system was studied in a field experiment at the Samaru Farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research in 1990 and 1992. Factorial combinations of four levels of N (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha-1) and three levels of P (0, 13.2 and 26.4 kg P ha-1) were laid in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The number of tillers per rice plant increased significantly with increasing levels of N up to 180 kg N ha-1 while cobs/m2 of maize increased only up to 60 kg N ha-1, but the response of leaf area index (LAI) to increasing levels of N was not consistent. The significant increase in these variables as affected by P was only from 0 to 13.2 kg ha-1. However, the application of 13.2 kg P ha-1 at each level of N significantly (P < 0.05) increased maize and rice yields, with the highest grain yields of both crops recorded when 120 kg N ha-1 and 13.2 kg P ha-1 were applied. Crude protein increased in maize and rice leaves with increasing levels of N up to 120 kg N ha-1, but the effects of P on the variable was not consistent. Percent P in crop leaves was unaffected by the application of increasing levels of N and P, and no interaction effect was observed between the levels of N and P. Soil analysis after harvest showed that increasing levels of N and P increased the residual N and P in the soil. For sufficient supply of N and P to raise maize and rice yields, and to have reasonable residual amounts of these elements in the savanna soils at Samaru, the application of 120 kg N ha-1 and 13.2 kg P ha-1 seem adequate. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 37 2004: 3-1

Introducing Fonio in the farming system to enhance food security and Incomes in Northern Ghana and Burkina Faso

The practice Abstract n. 1 of EWA-BELT Project describes the potentialities and opportunities of Fonio and selected varieties to improve food security during the planting and harvesting season in West Africa.The Practice Abstract is available and published within the EIP-AGRI Initiative, here: https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/find-connect/projects/linking-east-and-west-african-farming-systems.htm

Yield and Nitrogen fixation of cowpea as affected by tillage and cropping systems in the Northern Savanna zone of Ghana

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