Growth and Yield Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Different Rates of Briquette and Granule NPK Fertilizer

Abstract

Aims: Maize productivity in Ghana remains below its potential largely due to inefficient fertilizer use and inappropriate application methods. This study assessed the effect of application of NPK briquettes and granule fertilizers on maize growth and yield at two different locations. Study design:  The experimental design used was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD with eight treatments, and each replicated four times. Place and Duration of Study: Two field experiments were conducted concurrently at Atebubu Municipality in the Bono East Region and Dormaa Ahenkro Municipality in the Bono Region of Ghana, between April 2022 and August 2022. Materials and Methods: The treatments included: (i) No Fertilizer (Control); (ii) Granule (120-40-40 kg ha-1 NPK); (iii) Granule (116-48-46 kg ha-1 NPK); (iv) Granule (86-48-46 kg ha-1 NPK); (v) Granule (55-48-46 kg ha-1 NPK); (vi) Briquette (116-48-46 kg ha-1 NPK); (vii) Briquette (86-48-46 kg ha-1 NPK); and (viii) Briquette (55-48-46 kg ha-1) fertilizer. Results: Application of NPK either in granular or briquettes had no significant impact on number of days to 50% tasseling and number of days to 50% silking. However, significant differences were observed in plant height and the number of leaves per plant at 5 and 7 weeks after planting (WAP), where the application of Granular NPK fertilizer to plots that received 116 - 48 - 46 kg ha-1 had superior performance in plant height and number leaves per plant  at 7 WAP across both locations. Furthermore, plots in both locations that received granular and briquette NPK at 116-48-46 kg ha-1 were superior in producing higher yields. These results showed that the form of NPK fertilizer either briquette or granular had no effect on the yield of maize, however, the rate of application does. Conclusion: The application of Granular NPK fertilizer to plots that received Granular and briquette at 116 - 48 - 46 kg ha-1 NPK fertilizer had a significant effect on maize growth and yield. It is recommended that for optimized maize grain yield, farmers should apply either granular and /or briquette at 116 - 48 - 46 kg ha-1 NPK fertilizer.