Effect of NPK Fertilizer Blends with Secondary and Micronutrients on Maize Growth and Yield in the Semi-deciduous Zone of Ghana

Abstract

Low soil productivity is one of the key challenges limiting maize yield in Ghana. This has resulted in a wide yield gap exists between farms and potential yields across most agroecological zones. Micronutrients and macronutrients have been proven to enhance crop performance in terms of growth and yield. The incorporation of micronutrients and macronutrients into fertilizer blends to increase maize productivity in the semideciduous forest zone of Ghana has received little attention. An experiment was conducted at the Central Agricultural Station of the Soil Research Institute, Kwadaso. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and the performance productivity of micronutrient (NPK) and macronutrient (B, Zn) inclusion in fertilizer formulation for maize production in a forest deciduous zone in Ghana. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with replications with 20 fertilizer treatments formulated from three new NPK fertilizer blends (viz. NPK 14:18:18+6S+1B, NPK 20:20:10+4S+2 MgO+0.6B+0. Zn, and NPK 15:20:10+9S+5MgO+0.6B+0.5Zn. These results were compared with the control (no fertilizer treatment). Two weeks after the first fertilizer application of NPK and S:Mg:B:Zn was applied, and six weeks after planting, urea was administered at the appropriate 30 N kg ha-1 rate. The results showed statistically significant at a 5% probability level (p< 0.05). The treatments 150-90-90+30S+5B and 150-90-45+18S+9MgO+2.7B+2.25Zn yielded 4.2 t ha-1 and 4.09 t ha-1 respectively, whiles the control recorded 1.8 t ha-1. The treatment improves the yield of maize by (133.33% and 127.22%) respectively compare to blanket fertilizer recommended rate at 1.8 t ha-1. Although this study confirmed that fertilizer is necessary for the production of maize in the semideciduous forest zone of Ghana, it is also recommended that there is a need for integrated soil fertility management to boost the growth and yield of maize.