Impact of Tillage and Phosphorus Application on Agronomic Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays L.) in the Eastern Part of DRC

Abstract

There is limited information on the impact of tillage and Phosphorus application on Phosphorus Agronomic efficiency of maize and, the implication for crop yield on different soil types in the Eastern part of DRC. To bridge this gap in knowledge, a study was undertaken in the major rainy season of 2018 on an Orthi-Ferric Acrisol at Walungu and Rhodic Lixisol at Mulungu in the Easter montain of DRC. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four replications for both locations. There were two variants for the tillage factor: conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) systems and four phosphorus application rates: 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg P2O5 in the form of triple superphosphate (TSP) designated as P0, P30, P60 and P90, with basal applications of nitrogen and potassium at the rates of 90 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg K2O ha-1. Phosphorus use efficiency indices such as partial factor productivity (PFP) and agronomic efficiency (PAE) were evaluated. The results showed tillage to generally influence P use efficiency of maize in both experimental sites at harvesting with good values for CT. Phosphorus was efficiently utilized by the maize crops at on both soils. Significant tillage x phosphorus interactions (p<0.05) were recorded among treatment combinations with regards to PFP and PAE at both Walungu and Kabare Though CTP60 Kabare recorded the highest grain yield comparable to that of CTP60 at Walungu. Although its limitation in most of tropical soil, Phosphorus can be used efficiently under valuable tillage systems for sustainable crop production in this area.