Effect of Fertilizer Formulation on Yield Components and Yield of Hybrid Maize Varieties in the Guinea Savannah Zone of Ghana

Abstract

The research was conducted from late June to November, 2011 to evaluate the performance of five maize hybrids namely PAN 12 and PAN 53, Obatampa GH, Mamaba and ACR ’97 TZL Comp 1-w using five different fertilizer formulations: A- Actyva (275kg/ha), + Sulfan (250kg/ha), B- ERP (250kg/ha) + Actyva (275kg/ha), + Fertilizer Blend (250kg/ha), C- Actyva (275kg/ha), + Fertilizer Blend (250kg/ha), D- ERP (250kg/ha) +N: P: K. (275kg/ha), + Urea and E- control (N: P: K. (275kg/ha), + urea (250kg/ha) in order to recommend the best performing entries for adoption in the Guinnea savanna zone of Ghana. The research was laid in Split-Plot Design. Fertilizer formulation served as the main plot factor and the variety as the sub-plot factor. Data was collected on plant count, plant height, LAI, number of days to 50% tasseling, cob and husk weight, dehusked weight and ultimately, the grain yield and 100 seed weight and analyzed. Plant samples were taken at 2 WAP, 6 WAP and at harvest and analyzed for NPK in biomass. Soil samples were also taken at planting, 6 WAP and at harvest and analyzed for NPK, pH, CEC. Interaction between variety and fertilizer formulation as well as fertilizer as a factor was not significantly different (p<0.05) in this study but variety affected (p>0.05) almost all the parameters measured. PAN 12 produced the highest of most growth parameters measured as well as the ultimate yield with Actyva + Sulfan fertilizer formulation giving the highest support.