Maize yield response, nitrogen use efficiency and financial returns to fertilizer on smallholder farms in southern Africa

Food Security ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 577-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bashir Jama ◽  
David Kimani ◽  
Rebbie Harawa ◽  
Abednego Kiwia Mavuthu ◽  
Gudeta W. Sileshi
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Financial Returns ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Smallholder Farms ◽  
Use Efficiency

scholarly journals Timing and rate of nitrogen fertilization influence maize yield and nitrogen use efficiency

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. e0233674
Author(s):  
Benjamin Davies ◽  
Jeffrey A. Coulter ◽  
Paulo H. Pagliari
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

YIELD, NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY AND GRAIN QUALITY IN DURUM WHEAT AS AFFECTED BY NITROGEN FERTILIZATION UNDER A MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT

2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 314-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANITA IERNA ◽  
GRAZIA MARIA LOMBARDO ◽  
GIOVANNI MAUROMICALE
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Durum Wheat ◽  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
Grain Quality ◽  
Nitrogen Efficiency ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

SUMMARYLimited information is available concerning the influence of nitrogen fertilization jointly on yield response, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and grain quality of durum wheat under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions. The study focused on evaluating, through a systematic study, over three seasons in southern Italy the effects of three nitrogen fertilization rates (0, 80 and 160 kg N ha−1– N0, N80and N160), on grain yield, yield components, nitrogen efficiency indices and grain quality characteristics of three durum wheat genotypes (‘Creso’, ‘Trinakria’ and ‘Line 25’) from different breeding eras to achieve a more sustainable fertilization management of the durum wheat crop. We found that nitrogen fertilization at 80 kg N ha−1was able to maximize the yield performances (2.1 t ha−1year–1) of the crop and keep NUE index at an acceptable level (16.3 kg kg−1). On the other hand, nitrogen fertilization at 160 kg N ha−1improved grain quality measured through protein (up to 14.3%) and dry gluten concentration (up to 12.8%), but had a detrimental effect on grain yield and nitrogen efficiency. Among the genotypes studied, ‘Trinakria’ showed the greatest potential to utilize nitrogen fertilization to improve grain yield and NUE (at N80) and quality (at N160), ‘Line 25’ made good use of N80both for yield and quality, whereas ‘Creso’ proved wholly unresponsive to nitrogen. The effect of N fertilization on grain yield and N use efficiency depends on rainfall distribution, giving the best results when about 80% of total rainfall occurred from sowing to heading. Overall, our data show that in seasons with regular rainfall in quantity and distribution, combining no more than 80 kg ha−1of nitrogen fertilization with genotypes characterized by a more efficient response to nitrogen, is a useful tool to improve the agronomic and quality performance of the crop, ensuring, at the same time, a more environment-friendly nitrogen fertilization.

RELATIVE PERFORMANCE OF BORON, SULPHUR AND ZINC COATINGS ONTO PRILLED UREA FOR INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY AND NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY IN MAIZE

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
VIJAY POONIYA ◽  
YASHBIR SINGH SHIVAY ◽  
MADAN PAL ◽  
RADHIKA BANSAL
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Total N ◽  
Prilled Urea ◽  
Zn Uptake ◽  
Coated Urea ◽  
Use Efficiency

SUMMARYDeficiencies of micro (Zn, B) and secondary (S) nutrients are well-documented in soil as well as in cereal crops, leading to decreased crop yields and low nutritional quality of food. We evaluated the effects of coated urea on maize yield, N and Zn uptake, and input cost relationships. Field experiments were conducted on maize to test boron-coated (BCU), sulphur-coated (SCU) and zinc-coated urea (ZnCU) during 2013 and 2014. On the basis of 2 years’ average data, the highest grain yield was achieved with 0.5% BCU, 5% SCU and 2.5% ZnCU as zinc sulphate hepta hydrate. These treatments increased yields by 5.4, 12.8 and 9.9% over prilled urea (PU), respectively. Application of 0.5% BCU (supplying 1.4 kg B ha−1), 5% SCU (supplying 14.1 kg S ha−1) and 2.5% ZnCU (supplying 7.05 kg Zn ha−1) registered the highest N concentrations and uptake in grain and stover. Total N uptake (grain + stover) was increased by 7.6, 16.7 and 17.1% with BCU, SCU and ZnCU treatments over PU. As compared to PU, Zn concentration in maize grain was significantly higher and total Zn uptake (grain + stover) increased by 32.4% with 2.5% ZnCU. Coated urea materials also enhanced the partial factor productivity (PFPN), agronomic efficiency (AEN), recovery efficiency (REN) and harvest index (HIN) over those of PU. From the economic viewpoint this study suggests that coating of urea with 0.3% boron, 5% sulphur or 2% zinc gives maximum net returns and benefit-cost ratio. Our data indicate that coating of B, Zn and S onto urea increases maize yield, profitability and nitrogen use efficiency in the western Indo-Gangetic plains of India.

scholarly journals Optimization of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application with Climate-Smart Agriculture in the North China Plain

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 3415
Author(s):  
Jinsai Chen ◽  
Guangshuai Wang ◽  
Abdoul Kader Mounkaila Hamani ◽  
Abubakar Sunusi Amin ◽  
Weihao Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
Residual Concentration ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
N Application ◽  
Use Efficiency

Long−term excessive nitrogen fertilizer input has resulted in several environmental problems, including an increase in N2O emissions and the aggravation of nitrate leaching; monitoring nitrogen fertilizer is crucial for maize with high yield. This study aimed to optimize the amount of nitrogen applied to maize by Climate−Smart Agriculture (CSA) so as to continuously improve agricultural productivity and reduce or eliminate N2O emissions as much as possible. Field experiments with a completely randomized design were conducted to examine the effects of six nitrogen treatments (N application levels of 0, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360 kg·ha−1, respectively) on N2O emissions, residual concentration of nitrate and ammonium nitrogen, maize yield, and nitrogen utilization efficiency in 2018 and 2019. The results indicated that the residual concentration of nitrate nitrogen (NO3-−N) in the two seasons significantly increased; N2O emissions significantly increased, and the nitrogen fertilizer agronomic efficiency and partial productivity of maize fell dramatically as the nitrogen application rate increased. The maize grain yield rose when the N application amount was raised (N application amount <300 kg·ha−1) but decreased when the N application amount > 300 kg·ha−1. An increase in the nitrogen application rate can decrease nitrogen use efficiency, increase soil NO3-−N residual, and N2O emissions. Reasonable nitrogen application can increase maize yield and reduce N2O emissions and be conducive to improving nitrogen use efficiency. By considering summer maize yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and farmland ecological environment, 173.94~178.34 kg N kg·ha−1 could be utilized as the nitrogen threshold for summer maize in the North China Plain.

scholarly journals Improving Maize Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency Using Spectral Properties of Leaves for Need-based Nitrogen Management

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Priscilla Osei Owusu ◽  
Joseph Ofori ◽  
Christiana Amoatey ◽  
Dominic Kwadwo Anning
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Nitrogen Management ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Use Efficiency

There is a spiral increase in maize consumption in Ghana due to high population growth and changing consumer preferences. However, maize yield in the country is declining partly due to poor soil fertility and fertilizer management, resulting in low nitrogen use efficiency. A field experiment was therefore conducted at the Soil and Irrigation Research Centre, University of Ghana, Kpong during the 2016 cropping season to evaluate the effect of nitrogen management options on growth, yield and nitrogen use efficiency of maize. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replicates. Variety and nitrogen (N) management were the main and sub plot factors, respectively. The varieties were; 1. Aburohemaa (V1) 2. Abontem (V2) 3. Obaatanpa (V3). 4. Omankwa (V4), while the nitrogen management levels included; 1. no N application (control, N0), 2. Conventional practice, Conv (150 kg N ha-1) 3. Leaf Colour Chart, LCC (75 kg N ha-1) and 4. Soil Plant Analysis Development meter, SPAD (75 kg N ha-1). The results revealed that LCC and SPAD meter in maize nitrogen-based management reduced nitrogen fertilizer input by 50% without significantly affecting the growth, grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of maize. Maize varieties significantly differed in terms of growth rate, yielding potential, N uptake and N use efficiency. The study recommended LCC to maize farmers since it is relatively cheap, easy to use and saved 50% N fertilizer input.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document