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 Maize Production and Soil Properties Change in Alley Cropping System at Different Nitrogen Levels

2010 ◽  
pp. 41-49
Author(s):  
Md Abiar Rahman ◽  
Md Giashuddin Miah ◽  
Hisashi Yahata
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Similar Amount ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Nitrogen Levels

Productivity of maize and soil properties change under alley cropping system consisting of four woody species (Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Cajanus cajan and Senna siamea) at different nitrogen levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended rate) were studied in the floodplain ecosystem of Bangladesh. Comparative growth performance of four woody species after pruning showed that L. leucocephala attained the highest height, while C. cajan produced the maximum number of branches. Higher and almost similar amount of pruned materials (PM) were obtained from S. siamea, G. sepium and C. cajan species. In general, maize yield increased with the increase in N level irrespective of added PM. However, 100% N plus PM, 75% N plus PM and 100% N without PM (control) produced similar yields. The grain yield of maize obtained from G. sepium alley was 2.82, 4.13 and 5.81% higher over those of L. leucocephala, C. cajan and S. siamea, respectively. Across the alley, only one row of maize in the vicinity of the woody species was affected significantly. There was an increasing trend in soil properties in terms of organic C, total N and CEC in alley cropping treatments especially in G. sepium and L. leucocephala alleys compared to the initial and control soils. Therefore, one fourth chemical N fertilizer can be saved without significant yield loss in maize production in alley cropping system.

Are conservation agriculture (CA) systems productive and profitable options for smallholder farmers in different agro-ecoregions of Zimbabwe?

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Mupangwa ◽  
M. Mutenje ◽  
C. Thierfelder ◽  
I. Nyagumbo
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Direct Seeding ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Production Risk ◽  
Conventional Practice

AbstractContinuous conventional tillage coupled with unsystematic cereal/legume rotations has promoted low crop productivity on smallholder farms. A multi-locational study was established in three agro-ecoregions (AEs) of Zimbabwe. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of four tillage systems (conventional plowing, planting basins, rip-line and animal traction direct seeding systems) on maize (Zea mays L.), cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] yields, and evaluate the economic performance of the conservation agriculture (CA) systems relative to conventional plowing. Each farmer was a replicate of the trial over the three cropping seasons. In the high (750–1000 mm per annum) and low (450–650 mm) rainfall AEs, conventional practice and CA systems gave similar maize grain yield. Under medium rainfall conditions (500–800 mm) planting basins, rip-line and direct seeding systems gave 547, 548 and 1690 kg ha−1 more maize yield than the conventional practice. In the high and low rainfall AEs, conventional practice and planting basins had the lowest maize production risk. Cowpea yield was 35 and 45% higher in the rip-line and direct seeding than conventional practice. Soybean yield was higher in rip-line (36%) and direct seeding (51%) systems than conventional practice. Direct seeding system gave the highest net benefits in all AEs. A combination of long-term biophysical and socio-economic assessments of the different cropping systems tested in our study is critical in order to fully understand their performance under different AEs of Zimbabwe.

scholarly journals Yield maximization of maize through nutrient management

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
NU Mahamood ◽  
Z Ferdous ◽  
M Anwar ◽  
R Ali ◽  
M Sultana
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Negative Impacts

Unbalanced use of chemical fertilizer is a problem in the intensive cropping systems on the Northern part of Bangladesh. Proper nutrient management is essential to maximize maize production and sustain agricultural production while minimizing negative impacts on the soil fertility. The aim of the present study was to investigate nutrient dynamics, maize yields and soil fertility in response to balanced fertilization. A field experiment (2009–2010) was conducted at FSRD site Lahirirhat, OFRD, Rangpur during rabi season 2009-2010 to evaluate Maximizing maize production through nutrient management. Five treatments viz.T1= N300P50K150S30, T2=P50K150S30, T3= N300K150S30, T4= N300P50S30 and T5= N300P50K150were evaluated for this purpose. The result indicated that the highest grain yield (8.37 t/ha) was found from T1= N300P50K150S30 treatment. The lowest grain yield (7.33 t/ha) was obtained from T2=P50K150S30 treatment. The gross return (Tk.100107/ha) and gross margin (Tk.44951/ha) was higher with T1 and T3 treated plot. It may be concluded that proper nutrient management may be the good alternatives for maximizing maize yield and management of soil health at Rangpur region in Bangladesh.Progressive Agriculture 27 (4): 428-434, 2016

scholarly journals Impact of Soil Fertility Improving Trees on Crop Productivity and Farmer Wealth in Zambia

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Elias Kuntashula
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan

There has been low uptake of soil fertility improving tree technologies that have been promoted as alternatives to the costly inorganic fertiliser among the poor resource farmers of Sub Saharan Africa. This is surprising given that the majority of smallholder farmers cannot afford inorganic fertilisers. Are these technologies effective? Using data collected in 2013 from 1,231 households across six districts of Zambia, this study showed that the tree technologies increased maize productivity. However, increases in maize productivity were less than those obtained from controlled on-station and field experiments where the technologies could double or more than double maize productivity according to literature. The technologies capacity to marginally contribute to wealth creation was confirmed. Socioeconomic constraints including labour, information access, land and credit need to be tackled for the technologies to give maximum benefits. Research on fertiliser trees should therefore be redirected towards the discovery of such resource constraints saving technologies. 

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.

SUSTAINABLE MAIZE PRODUCTION USING GLIRICIDIA/MAIZE INTERCROPPING IN SOUTHERN MALAWI

2006 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. K. AKINNIFESI ◽  
W. MAKUMBA ◽  
F. R. KWESIGA
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Continuous Cultivation ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Soil Fertility Replenishment ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
Maize Yields

Maize production in Malawi is limited by high costs and sub-optimal use of chemical fertilizers under continuous cultivation. A long-term gliricidia/maize trial was undertaken on a Ferric Lixisol from 1991/92 to 2001/02. The purpose of the study was to assess the performance of a gliricidia/maize intercropping system as a low-input soil fertility replenishment option in southern Malawi. The experiment was a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial design with three replications. Treatments included two maize cropping systems (with and without gliricidia trees), and three rates of inorganic N fertilizer (0, 24 and 48 N kg ha−1 representing 0, 25 and 50% of the national recommended N rate), and three rates of P fertilizer application (0, 20 and 40 P ha−1 representing 0, 50 and 100% of the recommended rate). No effect of P was detected on yield early in the trial, and this treatment was discontinued. The gliricidia pruning biomass did not decline after 10 years of intensive pruning, with strong correlation between tree biomass production and years after establishment (r = 0.91, p < 0.001). Application of gliricidia prunings increased maize yields by three times compared to the yield of unfertilized sole maize. Maize yield from the unfertilized gliricidia pruning treatment was superior to the yield from sole maize supplemented with a quarter or half the recommended N rate. The study confirmed that a gliricidia/maize intercropping system is a promising soil fertility replenishment option in southern Malawi and elsewhere in southern Africa.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of Nitrogen Use in Maize

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aziiba Emmanuel Asibi ◽  
Qiang Chai ◽  
Jeffrey A. Coulter
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
N Fertilizers ◽  
N Utilization ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Reproductive Phases

Nitrogen (N) fertilizers are needed to enhance maize (Zea mays L.) production. Maize plays a major role in the livestock industry, biofuels, and human nutrition. Globally, less than one-half of applied N is recovered by maize. Although the application of N fertilizer can improve maize yield, excess N application due to low knowledge of the mechanisms of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) poses serious threats to environmental sustainability. Increased environmental consciousness and an ever-increasing human population necessitate improved N utilization strategies in maize production. Enhanced understanding of the relationship between maize growth and productivity and the dynamics of maize N recovery are of major significance. A better understanding of the metabolic and genetic control of N acquisition and remobilization during vegetative and reproductive phases are important to improve maize productivity and to avoid excessive use of N fertilizers. Synchronizing the N supply with maize N demand throughout the growing season is key to improving NUE and reducing N loss to the environment. This review examines the mechanisms of N use in maize to provide a basis for driving innovations to improve NUE and reduce risks of negative environmental impacts.

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.

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