Response of maize to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers in the savanna zones of Nigeria

Abstract

Field trials were conducted for three years on the response of maize to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers on Oyo Soil Series (Arenic Haplustalf) and Iregun series (Aquic Haplustalf) in the derived savanna and southern guinea savanna zones of Nigeria, respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer as granulated urea at rates 0–300 kg N/ha, P fertilizer as single superphosphate at rates 0–120 kg P/h, and K fertilizer as muriate of potash at rates 0–180 kg K/ha were used for the different nutrient combinations. The base rates for N, P, and K were 100 kg N/ha, 40 kg P/ha, and 60 kg K/ha, respectively. The results of the trials showed that annual application of the blanket recommended N, P, and K rates to maize grown under intensive land use system could not produce optimum yield. Fertilizer efficiency varied along with soil test values from year to year. The highest response by maize in these zones was to N, the optimum rate ranged from 50–100 kg N/ha. Application of high rates of P and K fertilizers on soils with fairly sufficient nutrient level showed no significant effect on maize yield. But when P and K were applied at low rates (20 kg P/ha and 30 kg K/ha), their contents in the leaf and maize yield, in most cases, increased significantly. The results, however, showed that N, P, and K recommendations for optimum maize yield in both zones are 50–100 kg N/ha, 20 kg P/ha, and 0–30 kg K/ha, respectively.