Effects of tillage and Npk 15-15-15 fertilizer application on maize performance and soil properties
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Date
2015-04-21
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Abstract
The effects of two tillage treatments and four NPK15-15-15 fertiliser application on
Akposoe maize (Zea mays, L.) performance and soil properties were evaluated under
rainfed conditions in Kumasi in the 2010 minor and the 2011 major cropping seasons.
The experiment was arranged as a factorial in a randomised complete block design.
Tillage consisted of disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing and No Tillage while
fertiliser application included 0, 150, 250, and 350 kg ha
-1
. Overall, in both 2010 and
2011, at 10 weeks after planting, the disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing
presented plant height, stem girth, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, root length and
dry matter yield significantly greater than that of No Tillage. In 2010, grain yield obtained
under No Tillage was higher than that under disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing
although there was no significant difference between the two treatments. In 2011,
however, disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing resulted in a significantly higher
grain yield compared with that of No Tillage. Generally, applying NPK 15-15-15
fertiliser gave statistically significant growth and yield parameters in comparison with
that of the 0 kg ha
-1
fertiliser application rate. In 2011, the 250 kg ha
-1
fertiliser
application rate gave significantly higher grain yield compared with that of the 0 kg ha
-1
rate. Soil penetration resistance and dry bulk density values after harvest were lower in
the disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing plots than in the No Tillage plots before
ploughing. In contrast, moisture content and total porosity after harvest were higher in the
disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing plots than in the No Tillage plots before
ploughing. Disc-ploughing followed by disc-harrowing, and applying NPK15-15-15
fertiliser at 250 kg ha
-1
increased maize growth and yield. Additionally, disc-ploughing
followed by disc-harrowing reduced soil penetration resistance and bulk density while
increasing soil moisture content and total porosity.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Materials Engineering
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Resources Management.