The Responses of Three Maize Varieties to Four Levels of Nitrogen in the Forest-transitional Zone of Ghana

Abstract

Maize cultivation is one of the major farming activities in the forest-transition zone of Ghana. Maize is cultivated in the major and minor cropping seasons of the year. Hardly would any farmer harvest any produce without the application of fertilizer. Field trials were therefore conducted at the Crop Farm (Corn belt) of the University of Education, Winneba, Mampong Ashanti Campus in the minor cropping season (between August and January) and major cropping season (between April and July) to assess the responses of three varieties of maize to four different rates of nitrogen in the forest-transition of Ghana. The treatments were three varieties of quality protein maize. Obatanpa (V₁), Mamaba (V₂), Golden Jubilee (V₃) and four levels of nitrogen, 0Kg N/ha (N₀), 45kg N/ha (N₁), 60 Kg N/ha (N₂), 90Kg N/ha (N₃). The field trials were a 3 x 4 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Factor A was designated the maize varieties and factor B the rates of nitrogen fertilizer. The study showed that different application rate of nitrogen fertilizer significantly improved maize growth and grain yield. Growth and yield were more significantly (P<0.05) supported by 90 Kg N/ha and 60 Kg N/ha than 45 Kg and O Kg N/ha. The application rates of 90 Kg N/ha, 60 Kg and 45 Kg N/ ha led to significant (P < 0.05) increase in the yield of maize due to increases in yield components. In conclusion, it is recommended that farmers in the forest-transition zone, notably, Ashanti region, should plant Obatanpa and Golden Jubilee in both cropping seasons and Mamaba only in the major season.

Keywords: Maize, Nitrogen, Yield components, Grain yield