scholarly journals Profitability and Impact of Inorganic Fertilizers on the Maize Production in Ekona, Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 76-84
Author(s):  
Lawrence Tatanah Nanganoa ◽  
Francis Ajebesone Ngome ◽  
Juliana Namein Ngong ◽  
Sone Kone Edigar Atache ◽  
Jeremiah Ndande Ebonlo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizers ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Fertilizer Use ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Summary Declining soil fertility and low fertilizer use are the major abiotic factors limiting the maize production in Cameroon. Therefore, the design and introduction of appropriate fertilizer schemes, which would improve maize yields and provide incentives for smallholder farmers, are considered imperative. In 2018, a field experiment was conducted on the farm of the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) in Ekona, the south-west region of Cameroon, to investigate the profitability and impact of inorganic fertilizers on maize production. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications and four treatments, using different fertilizer rates per hectare in each treatment (namely unfertilized control (T1), 50 kg urea + 50 kg N-P-K (T2), 100 kg urea + 100 kg N-P-K (T3) and 150 kg urea + 150 kg N-P-K (T4)). The results obtained indicate that all the maize growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem girth and leaf area) and yield components considered (cob length, cob diameter and test weight of 100 grains) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in T4 than T1. The grain yields recorded ranged from 4.09–5.88 t ha−1 and were also statistically (P < 0.05) higher in T4 than T1. The incremental income based on the fertilizer use was the highest in T4, followed by T3 and T2. The value cost ratio (VCR) was greater than 2 in all the treatments and was found to be highest in T2 (3.15), followed by T4 (2.52) and T3 (2.49). As T2, T3 and T4 did not differ statistically (P > 0.05), all the fertilizer rates considered were economically viable, but T4 provide the most cost-effective due to its higher grain yields and incremental income.

Evaluation of maize-soybean intercropping systems and fertilizer rates on maize grain yield using competitive indices

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-76
Author(s):  
F.O. Takim ◽  
J.O. Omeke ◽  
P. Tunku ◽  
J.A. Shebaya ◽  
G. Olaoye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Guinea Savanna ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Field trials were conducted in savanna ecologies of Nigeria during the 2015 and 2016 seasons using maize (PVA8) and soybean (TGX 1448-2E) intercropping systems with different fertilizer rates to evaluate the yield of maize and assess the best intercropping system for resource management. Single plant stands and two plants/stand and 2 arrangements of rows (one row on a ridge and two rows on a ridge) were used to impose maize plant densities evaluated in strip inter-crop with soybean. The trial was factorial, laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Thus, 8 maize-soybean strip cropping systems and application of 3 NPK rates were evaluated at Saki-Oyo, Ilorin, and Nasarawa (southern Guinea savanna), Kaduna in the northern Guinea savanna, Funtua (Katsina) and Gusau (Zamfara) located within Sudan savanna ecologies of Nigeria. Data on yields and yield components were collected. The intercropping systems were assessed using existing intercropping indices such as Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), Relative Crowding Coefficient (K), Aggressivity (A), Competitive Ratio (CR), Actual Yield Loss (AYL), Intercropping Advantage (IA) and Monetary Advantage Index (MAI). The result showed that Nasarawa and Kaduna were most ideal locations for maize production in the Nigeria savannas. The highest grain yield of 4.04 tons/ha maize and 1.36 tons/ha soybean were obtained from seeding 1 plant/stand in 2-rows per ridge x 4 ridges of maize alternated with 2 rows of soybean with the application of NPK at 100:50:50. The LER was 1.11, AYL (1.10) and MAI (208) gave a profit of ₦312,102.00 (US$990.80) ha-1 with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.38 and production efficiency of 29.56%. The study concluded that, seeding 80% maize and 20% soybean per ha will lead to sustainable maize crop production with limited use of fertilizer. It can be adopted by the farmers in Nigeria savannas as a relatively profitable intercropping system. Keywords: Maize production, Ideal location, Fertilizer rate, Competitive indices, Savanna ecologies, Nigeria

scholarly journals Impact of Integrated Weed Management on Bulb Yield of Onion

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-89
Author(s):  
MR Islam ◽  
M Moniruzzaman ◽  
AJM Obaidullah ◽  
AHF Fahim
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Integrated Weed Management ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Hand Weeding ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Bulb Yield

The experiment was conducted at Regional Spices Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Magura, Bangladesh during 2016-2017 and 2017- 2018 to optimize weed management practice for onion bulb production through Integrated Weed Management (IWM). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Two different herbicides (Oxadiazon and Pendimethalin) with different doses in combination with hand weeding (HW) were used as treatments. The total number of treatments were 12 viz. [email protected] l/ha, [email protected] l/ha, T3= [email protected] l/ha, T4= [email protected] l/ha + one HW at 45 DAT (Days After Transplanting), T5= [email protected] l/ha + one HW at 45 DAT,T6= [email protected] l/ha + one HW at 45 DAT, [email protected] l/ha, [email protected] l/ha, T9= [email protected] l/ha + HW at 45 DAT, T10= [email protected] l/ha+ HW at 45 DAT, T11= Weed free and T12 = Weedy check (control). The onion var. BARI Piaz-1 was used as the test crop. The highest bulb yield (7.63 tha-1 in 2016 & 9.56 t ha-1in 2017) and benefit cost ratio (2.14 in 2016 and 2.46 in 2017) were obtained from T6= [email protected] l/ha + one hand weeding at 45 DAT while the lowest bulb yield (4.22 t ha-1in 2016 and 6.28 t ha-1in 2017) was obtained from T12 = Weedy check (control), while lowest benefit cost ratio (1.33 in 2016 and 1.74 in 2017) from treatment T11 =Weed free. It was concluded that [email protected] l/ha with one hand weeding at 45 days after transplanting performed better for controlling weed and maximizing bulb yield of onion. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2020, 23(1): 83-89

scholarly journals Monitoring of Soil Water Content in Maize Rotated with Pigeonpea Fallows in South Africa

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2761
Author(s):  
Misheck Musokwa ◽  
Paramu L. Mafongoya ◽  
Paxie W. Chirwa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Soil Water Tension ◽  
Continuous Maize ◽  
Water Tension

Maize production under smallholder systems in South Africa (RSA) depends on rainfall. Incidences of dry spells throughout the growing season have affected maize yields negatively. The study examined water distribution and water use efficiency (WUE) of maize rotated with two-year pigeonpea fallows as compared to continuous maize without fertilizer. A randomized complete block design, replicated three times, was used with four treatments, which included continuous unfertilized maize, natural fallow-maize, pigeonpea + grass-pigeonpea-maize, and two-year pigeonpea fallow-maize. Soil water mark sensors were installed 0.2; 0.5; and 1.2 m on each plot to monitor soil water tension (kPa). Soil samples were analyzed using pressure plates to determine water retention curves which were used to convert soil water tension to volumetric water content. Maize rotated with two-year pigeonpea fallows had higher dry matter yield (11,661 kg ha−1) and WUE (20.78 kg mm−1) than continuous maize (5314 kg ha−1 and 9.48 kg mm−1). In this era of water scarcity and drought incidences caused by climate change, maize rotated with pigeonpea fallows is recommended among smallholder farmers in RSA because of its higher WUE, hence food security will be guaranteed.

scholarly journals Enhancement of the Productivity of Groundnut in Malawi through the Combined Use of Inoculants and Foliar Application of Nutrients

2020 ◽  
pp. 13-28
Author(s):  
Austin T. Phiri ◽  
Pacsu Simwaka ◽  
Daniel Kausiwa
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Significant Difference

Low productivity characterizes the production of groundnut among smallholder farmers in Malawi. There is a need to explore options capable of increasing the productivity of the crop sustainably more especially under the changing climate. Against this background, experiments were conducted during the 2016/17 cropping season to investigate the potential to enhance the productivity of groundnut in Malawi through the combined use of inoculants (Graph-Ex and Histick-BASF) and foliar application of nutrients using Allwin fertilizer (legumes). The experiments were established at Bvumbwe and Chitala Agricultural research Stations and were laid in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated four times. Data collected were analyzed in Genstat Discovery Edition 4 and were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 95% level of confidence. Means were separated by the least significant difference (LSD0.05). In general, foliar application of Allwin fertilizer alone particularly when conducted twice at two and four weeks after emergence produced a positive significant (p<0.05) groundnut grain yield response (97.8-170.8%) above the control. The yield increase is attributable to enhanced growth and development of the groundnut through the foliar supply of nutrients. In general, under the changing climate and amidst other constraints foliar feeding of nutrients using Allwin fertilizer alone particularly when conducted twice can increase significantly groundnut productivity in Malawi.

scholarly journals Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers Amendments on Inflorescence and Flower Morphology and Yield of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

CORD ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Abdul Hameed Solangi
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Cocos Nucifera ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Ammonium Phosphate ◽  
Flower Morphology ◽  
Npk Fertilizers ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizers ◽  
Nut Production ◽  
Female Flowers

A study was conducted at the Plant Introduction Center (PIC), Southern Agricultural Research Center (SARC), Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Karachi for the effect of Organic {Neem Seed Powder (NSP) and Gliricidia sepium leaves (GSL)} and Inorganic {(Urea (N), Di-ammonium phosphate (P) and Murait of potash (K), (NPK)} Fertilizers Amendments on Inflorescence and flower Morphology and Yield of Coconut. The experiment consist of eight treatments namely; T1 (NPK + NSP + GSL), T2 (NPK+ NSP), T3 (NPK+ GSL), T4 (NSP + GSL), T5 (NPK), T6 (GSL), T7 (NSP), T8 control without treatments. The experiment was laid down as Complete Randomized Block Design replicated three times. The results demonstrated that the number of spikelets with female flowers were significantly high in T1 to T7 as compared to T8 treatment. The 1st spikelets with number of female flowers (48.97) were significantly (p<0.05) high in T1 as compared to T2, T3, T4 and T8.  In case of stalk length (38.05 cm) it was significantly (p<0.05) high in T1 as compared to T8. The findings of the study indicated that the number of nuts (99.33) and fruit weight (1490.77 g) were significantly (p<0.05) highest in T1 as compared to T3 to T8 and T2 to T8 treatments, respectively. The T1 treatment also showed better fruit length (25.75 cm), fruit breadth (42.97 cm), husk weight (448.66 g), shell weight (278.11 g), kernel weight (434.22 g) and nut water (188.77 ml) with significant differences in some of the treatments. The application of organic amended with inorganic fertilizers, enhanced the growth and nut production in nutrient deficient soils. It is therefore, recommended that treatment T1 {NPK+NSP+GSL)}/palm/year was enough to improve the morphological, inflorescence, flower morphology, high nut production, better income to coconut farmers, economical and beneficial for conservation of coconut genetic resources in coastal area of Pakistan.

scholarly journals Effect of the Push-Pull Cropping System on Maize Yield, Stem Borer Infestation and Farmers’ Perception

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 452
Author(s):  
Teshome Kumela ◽  
Esayas Mendesil ◽  
Bayu Enchalew ◽  
Menale Kassie ◽  
Tadele Tefera
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Stem Borer ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Livestock Feed

The productivity of maize in Ethiopia has remained lower than the world average because of several biotic and abiotic factors. Stemborers and poor soil fertility are among the main factors that contribute to this poor maize productivity. A novel cropping strategy, such as the use of push-pull technology, is one of the methods known to solve both challenges at once. A push-pull technology targeting the management of maize stemborers was implemented in the Hawassa district of Ethiopia with the ultimate goal of increased food security among smallholder farmers. This study evaluated farmers’ perception of push-pull technology based on their experiences and observations of the demonstration plots that were established on-farm in Dore Bafano, Jara Gelelcha and Lebu Koremo village of the Hawasa district in 2016 and 2017. This study examined farmers’ perception of the importance of push-pull technology in controlling stemborers and improving soil fertility and access to livestock feed. In both cropping seasons, except for Jara Gelelcha, the maize grain yields were significantly higher in the climate-adapted push-pull plots compared to the maize monocrop plots. The majority (89%) of push-pull technology-practising farmers rated the technology better than their maize production methods on attributes such as access to new livestock feed and the control of stemborer damage. As a result, approximately 96% of the interviewed farmers were interested in adopting the technology starting in the upcoming crop season. Awareness through training and effective dissemination strategies should be strengthened among stakeholders and policymakers for the sustainable use and scaling-up of push-pull technology.

scholarly journals Adoption Intensity of Inorganic Fertilizers in Maize Production: Empirical Evidence from Smallholder Farmers in Eastern Ethiopia

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengstu Ketema ◽  
Degefu Kebede
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Dependency Ratio ◽  
Annual Income ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizers ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Adoption Intensity ◽  
Econometric Result

Evidences suggested that use levels of inorganic fertilizers are below the recommended rates in maize production. It is, therefore, necessary to investigate the reasons behind the failure to adopt the recommended rates of these fertilizers on maize production. This study analyzed determinants of intensity of adoption using a survey data collected from 383 randomly selected maize producing households. For this purpose, a two-limit Tobit model was applied. The econometric result revealed that variation in districts, family size, membership to cooperatives, distance to FTC, and livestock holding significantly affected smallholders’ intensity of adoption of DAP in maize production. On the other side, variation in district, farming experience, farm size, membership to cooperatives, dependency ratio, and annual income significantly determined intensity of adoption of Urea. It is, therefore, necessary to give due emphasis to the indicated determinants in order to assist maize producing farmers by boosting maize productivity.

scholarly journals Nitrogen efficiency in wheat yield through the biopolymer hydrogel

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 697-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ângela T. W De Mamann ◽  
José A. G. da Silva ◽  
Osmar B. Scremin ◽  
Rubia D. Mantai ◽  
Ari H. Scremin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Nitrogen Efficiency ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
N Efficiency ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

ABSTRACT Nitrogen use efficiency in wheat biomass and grain yields can be favored by the biopolymer hydrogel. The objective of the study was to analyze the use of the biopolymer hydrogel applied to the seed in the optimization of fertilizer-N on wheat biomass and grain yields, under different conditions of agricultural year and succession systems of high and reduced release of residual-N. In the study, two experiments were conducted, with different farming systems, soybean/wheat and maize/wheat, one to quantify the biomass yield rate and the other to determine grain yield. The experiments were conducted in the years 2014 and 2015, in a randomized block design with four replicates in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to hydrogel doses (0, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha-1) added in the groove along with the seed and N fertilizer rates (0, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha-1), applied as top-dressing. It is possible to improve the fertilizer-N efficiency by wheat using the biopolymer hydrogel for the production of biomass and grains. The highest wheat yield per kilogram of N supplied is obtained with 30 and 60 kg ha-1 of hydrogel, regardless of the year and succession system.

scholarly journals Effect of Weed Management Practices on Economics of Groundnut in Coastal Zone of Karnataka

2020 ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
Kunal Narwal ◽  
B. S. Yenagi
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Hand Weeding ◽  
Benefit Cost

Aims: To assess efficacy and economic viablity of herbicides on weed management in groundnut under groundnut during rabi-summer season. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Kumta, Uttar Kannada, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (Karnataka) during rabi 2016-2017. Methodology: The experiment comprised nine treatments are as follows. T1: Unweeded check, T2: Weed free check, T3: Two hand weeding (At 20 and 40 DAS), T4: pendimethalin 30% E.C. @ 1.5 kg ha-1 (PE) fb one hand weeding at 25 DAS, T5: oxyfluorfen 23.5% E.C. @ 200 g ha-1(PE) fb one hand weeding at 25 DAS, T6: pendimethalin 30% E.C. @ 1.5 kg ha-1 (PE)  fb quizalofop-p-ethyl 5% E.C. @ 50 g ha-1 20-30 DAS (POE), T7: pendimethalin 30% E.C. @ 1.5 kg ha-1 (PE) fb imazethapyr 10% S.L.  @ 75 g ha-1 20- 30 DAS (POE), T8: pendimethalin 30% E.C. @ 1.5 kg ha-1 (PE) fb oxyfluorfen 23.5% E.C. @ 100 g ha-1 at 20-30 DAS (POE), T9: pendimethalin 30% E.C. @ 1.0 kg ha-1 (PE) fb one hand weeding at 25 DAS. Results: Among the weed management practices revealed that, higher cost of cultivation ( 53,340 ha-1) under weed free check and pod yield (2255 kg ha-1), gross return ( 92,446 ha-1), net return ( 45,239 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (1.96) with pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 30% E.C. @ 1.5 kg ha-1 followed by one hand weeding at 25 DAS.

scholarly journals Eco-friendly management approach to control cabbage flea beetle in Jashore region of Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-73
Author(s):  
TS Munmun ◽  
MJ Alam ◽  
MM Khatun ◽  
NU Ahmed ◽  
NU Mahmud
Keyword(s):  
Untreated Control ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Flea Beetle ◽  
Sticky Trap ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Gross Margin

The experiment was conducted during rabi season 2018-19 and 2019-20 at Regional Agricultural Research Station Jashore to develop a bio-rational based sustainable management approach to control flea beetle of cabbage. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three dispersed replications. Cabbage seedlings were transplanted on 10th November 2018 and 11th November 2019, respectively. The experiment was five different treatments with one control treatment viz. T1 = White color sticky trap + Matrin (Biotrine 0.5% @ 1ml/L of water) @ 1ml/L of water, T2 = Spraying of Antario @1.0 ml/L of water, T3 = Alternate spraying of fizimite and Antario @ 1ml/L of water, T4 = Spraying of Bio-clean (D-Lemonine 5% SL) + application of recharge @ 3gm/L of water, T5 = Spraying with Nitro 505EC (Chlorpyriphos + Cypermethrin) @ 2.0 ml/L of water and T6 = Untreated control. The whole plant was thoroughly covered by spray emulsion. The lowest number of flea beetle (14.59 in 2018-19 and 10.33 in 2019-20) was found in the treatment T5 (Spraying with Nitro 505EC (Chlorpyriphos + Cypermethrin) @ 2.0 ml/L of water) and highest (35.76 in 2018-19 and 42.53 in 2019-20) in control (T6) treatment. The lowest percent of head infestation of cabbage was also recorded in T5 treatment (14.03% in 2018-19 and 5.10% in 2019-20) and the highest in T6 treatment (27.61% in 2018-19 and 23.69% in 2019-20). The highest yield (33.40 t/ha in 2018-19 and 32.49 t/ha in 2019-20) was recorded from T5 treatment and the lowest (26.87 t/ha in 2018-19 and 24.78 t/ha in 2019-20) in control (T6) treatment in both the year. On an average, 16.55-20.33 flea beetle were captured in yellow sticky trap per week in both the year. The highest gross margin (438466 Tk.//ha in 2018-19 and 262366 Tk.//ha in 2019-20) was also observed in the T5 treatment in both the year and the lowest (342916 Tk.//ha in 2018-19 and 187666 Tk.//ha in 2019-20) in untreated control (T6) treatment. Finally, the results revealed that the treatment T5 was more profitable compared to other approaches as well as the highest crop yield with marginal benefit cost ratio. Progressive Agriculture 31 (2): 68-73, 2020

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