Updating fertilizer formulation for maize cultivation (Zea mays L.) on Ferric Luvisols and Gleysols in the municipality of Tanguiéta, North-West Benin

Abstract

The improvement of soil fertility management is of great concern in Benin where deforestation and erosion lead each year to a decline of the productive capacity of agriculture land. In order to increase maize productivity in Northern Benin a field experiment was carried out from July 5 to November 20, 2012 on two main soils type namely ferric Luvisols and Gleysols. The study aimed at validating on farmer, ten different mineral and organo-mineral formulas of N, P and K (115-30-75 ; 88-30-35 ; 88-30-35+Manure; 42-30-35+Manure; 74-20-23 ; 74-20-23+Manure ; 51-20-23 ; 51-20-23+Manure ; 0-0-0 ; 0-0-0+Manure) simulated by DSSAT model in order to improve EVDT ETR-97 maize grain yield in northern Benin. In total, sixteen farmers’ fields were involved in this study. In each field, the experimental design was a randomized completed bloc design with four replications. Maize seed yields were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (fertilizer formulation) by soil type. The highest soil organic carbon and phosphorus content were recorded on ferric Luvisols. In addition, grain yield on ferric Luvisols was higher compared with Gleysols. The formula N42P30K35F presented the highest grain yield regardless the soil type. In fact, the highest grain yields were 2940.25 ± 383.60 and 2923.60 ± 653.26 kg/ha for ferric Luvisols and Gleysols respectively. The formula N42P30K35F could enable to improve maize productivity on ferric Luvisols and Gleysols in the North-West of Benin. The present study showed the importance of updating the different fertilizers combinations for different soils types in order to improve maize productivity.