Maize response to fertilizer on Ferralsol and Luvisol in the South Sudan zone of Burkina Faso

Abstract

A field study was conducted at Farako-Bâ, located in the south Sudan zone of Burkina Faso to update the fertilizer recommendations for maize production according to the soil type and variety of maize. The experiment was a split-plot arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications on both Luvisol and Ferralsol. The factors were mineral fertilizer options in the sub-plot and maize variety in the main plot. The treatment options were; control, 90 kg N ha-1, 90 kg N ha-1+ 15 kg P ha-1, 90 kg N ha-1+ 7.5 kg P ha-1, 90 kgNha-1 + 22.5 kg P ha-1, 90 kg N ha-1+ 15 kg P ha-1 + 10 kg K ha-1, 90 kg N ha-1 + 15 kg P ha-1 + 20 kg K ha-1, 90 kg N ha-1 + 15 kg P ha-1 + 30 kg K ha-1 and diagnostic (90 kg Nha-1 + 15 kgPha-1+ 20 kgKha-1+ 15 kgSha-1+ 2.5 kg Zn ha-1+ 10 kgMg ha-1 + 0.5 kg B ha-1). The maize varieties were Komsaya and SR21. At harvest grain and, stover yield as well as the harvest index were computed. The results showed that, grain and stover yields were significantly affected by both mineral fertilizer and soil type. Between the two maize varieties, Komsaya gave the highest grain yield across fertilizer treatments. Cultivation of Komsaya was the most profitable in terms of returns on investment on both soil types than SR21 which was economically viable when grown on a Luvisol.