Maize Response to Micro Dose Inorganic Inputs on an Acid Smallholder Farm in Kenyan Lower Midland

Kisinyo Peter Oloo and Palapala Valerie Adema

 

Full Length Research Paper I Published September,2016

 

Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology  Vol. 2 (8), pp.125-132

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

The study determined nitrogen, phosphorus fertilizers and lime micro doses effects on soil chemistry and maize performance on an acid soil smallholder farm. Treatments were micro doses (50% of recommendations) of N (0 and 37.5 kg N ha^-1), P (0 and 13 kg P ha^-1) fertilizers and lime (0 and 2.26 tons lime ha^-1). Nitrogen, P-fertilizers and lime significantly (p<0.05) increased soil N, P and pH. Agronomic N-fertilizer use efficiency were 29 and 35 kg ha^-1 kg^-1 N-fertilizer due to 37.5 kg N and 37.5 kg N+2.26 tons lime ha^-1, respectively. Grain agronomic P-fertilizer use efficiency was 24 and 30 kg ha^-1 kg^-1 P-fertilizer due to 13 kg P and 13 kg P+2.26 tons lime ha^-1, respectively. N-fertilizer recovery were 47 and 50% due to 37.5 kg N and 37.5 kg N+2.26 tons lime ha^-1, respectively and P-fertilizer recovery efficiency were 14 and 16% due to 13 kg P and 13 kg P+2.26 tons lime ha^-1, respectively. Grain yield increments were 72, 27 and 12% due to 37.5 kg N, 13 kg P and 2.26 tons lime ha^-1, respectively. Therefore, N-, P-fertilizers and lime micro doses can improve maize grain yield on acid nutrient deficient smallholder farms.

Key Words: Micro dose, Fertilizers, Lime, and Efficiency.
 

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