Fertilizer and Genotype Effects on Maize Production on Two Soils in the Northern Region of Ghana

Transcription

1 Sustinle Agriculture Reserch; Vol. 4, No. 4; 2015 ISSN X E-ISSN Pulished y Cndin Center of Science nd Eduction Fertilizer nd Genotype Effects on Mize Production on Two Soils in the Northern Region of Ghn Fuler Thiru 1, Mthis Fosu 2, Thoms Giser 3, Mthis Becker 3, B I. Y. Inush 1, Aukri Mutri 1, S. S. J. Buh 1, Willims Kwme Atkor 1 & Aski M. Mohmmed 1 1 Council for Scientific & Industril Reserch - Svnn Agriculturl Reserch Institute, Box TL 52, Nynkpl -Tmle, Ghn 2 Assocition of Church Development Projects (ACDEP), Tmle, Ghn 3 Fculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germny Correspondence: Fuler Thiru, CSIR Svnn Agriculturl Reserch Institute, Box 52, Nynkpl -Tmle Ghn. Tel: E-mil: lerhjj@yhoo.com Received: Mrch 16, 2015 Accepted: June 29, 2015 Online Pulished: Septemer 9, 2015 doi: /sr.v4n4p76 URL: Astrct Soils in the Guine Svnn gro-ecologicl zone of Ghn re depleted in mjor nutrients y continuous cropping nd residue removl, resulting in low mize yields. While mny studies hve ssessed the fertilizer requirements for mize, most did not ccount for the role of the soil type nd mize genotype. A study ws conducted on Plinthosol nd Lixisol in the Tolon district of the Northern Region of Ghn to ssess fertilizer nd genotype effects on mize productivity. Two mize genotypes (i.e. Otnp -110 dys to mturity) nd (Dodzie - 75 dys to mturity) were compred t three fertilizer ppliction rtes (i.e , nd kg h -1 N, P K) in rndomized complete lock design using four replictions, with genotype llocted to the min plots nd fertilizer levels to the suplots. Soils were chrcterized, reveling very low totl N nd ville P concentrtions in the top lyers. Grin yield ws significntly ffected y mize genotype, irrespective of the soil type. The longer-durtion (Otnp) tended to out yield the short durtion genotype (Dodzie), nd generlly outperformed Dodzie in ll yield prmeters except for the hrvest index on Plinthosol. Inorgnic fertilizers significntly (P<0.001) incresed yield nd ll yield prmeters over the control on oth soils, with yield increses of 84 nd 90% t nd kg h -1 N, P K, respectively. Genotype y fertilizer interction ws highly significnt (P<0.001) for grin yield on oth soils. We conclude tht frmers in the Guine Svnnh gro-ecologicl zone of Ghn need to supply nutrients to enhnce grin yields of mize, irrespective of the previling soil type. Keywords: fertilizers, genotype, Lixisol, Plinthosol, soil, Ze mys L. 1. Introduction Food security is n issue of glol concern nd dire prolem to people in the su(tropics) prticulrly Su Shrn Afric (SSA). Rpid popultion increse in synergy with fctors such s low soil fertility nd climte vriility re putting enormous pressure on nturl resource, i.e. lnd, wter, nutrients etc. (Collier et l., 2008). Rinfed griculture, dominnt production system in the region ccounts for out 80% of glol griculturl lnd (Rockström et l., 2003). This system is however low in productivity yer in yer out due to its over relince on nturl rinfll which is fst ecoming unpredictle (in quntity nd in time) s well s nturl resources which is lso ecoming limited due to excessive exploittion. These errtions re common to the Northern region of Ghn where frming nd livestock rering re the min source of rurl frm livelihoods (Wiredu et l., 2010; Ekoir et l., 2002) nd which produces mjor frction of the country s cerels nd grins. Agriculturl production in the re is minly for susistence, producing wide vrieties of field crops including mize, n importnt component of smll scle frming in West Afric (Fosu et l., 2004). Mize is widely grown in rnge of gro ecologicl environments ( nd hs een reported s stple food in mny plces in Afric e.g. Nigeri (Ismil et l., 2010), Mlwi (Ephrim & Chirw, 2007), nd Ghn (Fening et l., 2011). The overll mize production in Ghn (in terms of re hrvested nd volume) hs however remined stle ecuse of relince on trditionl frming methods (MiDA, 2010). These 76

2 methods hve een negtively ffected for some time now y fctors such s climte (Ismil et l., 2010), declining soil fertility nd low ppliction of externl inputs (Fening et l., 2011; Fosu et l., 2004) nd continuous mono-cropping (Wopereis et l., 2006). The sitution thus requires tht immedite ction e tken to ccelerte griculturl productivity to meet the rising food demnd of the country (Mwngi, 1996). One most efficient wy of replenishing nd reversing soil nutrient depletion is through the ppliction of minerl fertilizer (Btiono et l., 2007). Mize s gross feeder requires sustntil mount of soil nutrients especilly nitrogen (N) for growth nd development. Agin one mjor dpttion strtegy to the influence of climte vriility s mnifested in drought is plnting of short seson vrieties (Fosu-Mensh et l., 2012). The study ws crried out to investigte the response of mize to two mize genotypes nd different fertilizer levels s well s their interctions on two different soil types in the Tolon district of the Northern Region of Ghn with respect to yield nd wter productivity. 2. Mterils nd Methods 2.1 Study Are The study ws conducted in 2011 in the northern region of Ghn on two (2) soil types nmely Pisoplinthic Plinthosol nd Pisoplinthic Lixisol in Akukyili (CSIR-SARI reserch field) nd in Cheshegu (frmer s field) respectively. Both soils developed from crystlline cid rocks. The re lies within the interior Northern Guine Svnnh gro-ecologicl zone of Ghn on ltitude 9 o , longitude 0 o nd n verge elevtion of 183m.s.l. (Lwson et l., 2008). 2.2 Climte The climte is reltively dry compred to the middle nd southern (trnsition nd forest zones) prts of the country. The rinfll of out 1000 mm occurs in monomodl distriution pttern (April-Octoer, with pek in August - Ksei nd Afukw, 1991) nd tends to e highly vrile etween yers (15-20%). Averge nnul minimum nd mximum tempertures re 25 o C nd 35 o C, respectively. The nnul rinfll in 2011 ws 1047 mm with out 500 mm (genotype Dodzie) nd 590 mm (genotype Optnp) occurring during the crop growth period in oth soil type regions 2.3 Soil Soils of the study region re inherently very low in fertility. They re low in orgnic mtter (less thn 2% in the top soil) nd mcro nutrients especilly phosphorus reserves. These together with the occurrence of plinthite nd erodile sndy top soils mke the soils inherently infertile (Brimoh, 2004). These conditions mke it impertive tht mnure e incorported regulrly into the soils in the Svnnh zones (MoFA, 1998). After soil chrcteriztion, soils t Akukyili nd Cheshegu were clssified s Pisoplinthic Plinthosol (Plinthosol) nd Pisoplinthic Lixisol (Lixisol) respectively. Both soils were generlly low in soil orgnic cron nd mcro nutrients (Tle 1) nd re occurring t the upper prt of the slopes nd crests of the undulted lndscpe. 2.4 Soil Chrcteriztion, Smpling nd Lortory Anlysis Soil chrcteriztion ws done y digging 1.5 m profile pit t the orders of the two experimentl fields. Soil smples were tken t different lyers of the profile y experts from the CSIR Soil Reserch Institute in Kumsi for soil clssifiction. Strtified soil smpling of the profile pit ws done t 10 cm intervls to nlyse for the physicl nd chemicl properties. In totl, fifteen (15) soil smples were tken. The World Reference Bse for Soil Resources (WRB 2006) ws used for clssifiction. The first two (2) lyers (i.e. 10 cm nd 20 cm depth) will e reported for the purpose of this study. Soil smples were ir dried ground nd sieved with 2 mm mesh. Grvimetric grvel content ws determined. The smples were stored for physicl nd chemicl nlysis t the Svnn Agriculturl Reserch Institute s Soil Chemicl Lortory. Prticle size nlysis ws done y the hydrometer method (Anderson & Ingrm, 1993). Soil PH ws determined in 0.01 M CCl 2 solution in 1:2.5 soil:solution rtio, soil orgnic cron ws determined using Wlkley-Blck method (Nelson & Sommers, 1982), totl nitrogen y Kjeldhl method (Tel & Hegtey, 1984), ville P y Bry 1 procedure (Bry & Kurtz, 1945), exchngele clcium, potssium, sodium nd mgnesium were extrcted with mmonium cette nd determined y Atomic Asorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Totl exchngele ses (TEB) were clculted s the sum of exchngele C, Mg, K nd N. Acid exchngele zinc (Zn) ws extrcted with 0.01 M HCl solution (Nelson et l., 1959) nd determined y AAS. 77

3 2.5 Experimentl Design Tretments comprised comintion of two genotypes nd three fertilizer levels. The experimentl design ws Rndomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in split plot rrngement with four repetitions. Mize genotype ws llocted to min plots nd fertilizer levels to su plots. Ech plot size ws 12 m long nd 6.4 m wide on Plinthosol nd 12 m long nd 5 m wide on Lixisol. Mize genotypes otined from the CSIR-Svnn Agriculturl Reserch Institute were Dodzie (75 dys mturity period) nd Otnp (110 dys mturity period). The fertilizer levels pplied were 0-0-0, nd kg h -1 Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P 2 O 5 ) nd Potssium (K 2 O). The two mize genotypes were plnted in rows nd on flt with spcing of 80 cm x 40 cm nd two (2) plnts per hill. Plnting on Plinthosol ws done on July 1, 2011 nd July 5, 2011 on Lixisol. 50 % Nitrogen fertilizer ws pplied together with 100 % P 2 O 5 nd K 2 O two weeks fter plnting. The remining 50 % N fertilizer ws pplied s top dressing t five weeks fter plnting. Mode of ppliction ws diling few centimeters wy from the mize plnt nd urying the fertilizer. Compound fertilizer , Triple super phosphte nd murite of potsh (MOP) where used in clculting fertilizer rte during sl ppliction. Sulfn (26% N nd 35% SO 3 ) ws used during top dressing. Hrvesting ws done for Dodzie nd Otnp on Septemer 30 nd Octoer 11, 2011 respectively on Plinthosol nd on Octoer 4 nd Octoer 24, respectively on Lixisol. 2.6 Plnt Smpling, Mesurements nd Anlyses Field mesurement of crop prmeters tken during the experiment included lef re index (LAI) nd ove-ground iomss. Lef Are Index (LAI) ws mesured during the course of the experiment using the destructive method. Four plnts two ech from the second order rows of ech plot were cut from the ottom nd used for LAI mesurement. Leves from ech cut plnt were stripped off. The length (L) nd width (W) of ech leve were mesured. Averge vlues of mentioned prmeters of the four plnts were computed for ech plot. The re of lef ( ) otined ws then multiplied y fctor of 0.75 s descried in Moll nd Kmprth (1977) to get the totl lef re. LAI ws then computed s the rtio of the totl lef re nd the re covered y ech plnt (Wtson, 1952) (1) (2) Two plnts per plot were smpled t 4, 6 nd 8 weeks fter plnting (WAP) for plnt iomss clcultions. One ech ws cut from the second rows left nd right of ech plot. Cut smples were folded into rown pper envelop nd weighed for its fresh weight. Smples were then oven dried to otin their respective dry weight. Shoot dry mtter ws then clculted on per hectre sis. Yield nd yield components were determined t mturity. Prmeters mesured t mturity included grin yield, ove ground stover weight, 100 grin weight nd hrvest index (HI). HI ws clculted on dry mtter sis following description y Inoue nd Hgiwr (2000) (3) System s Wter Use Efficiency (WUE) defined s the rtio of output in terms of grin yield (kg h -1 ) to the volume of wter used from plnting to hrvesting (vn Hlsem & Vincent, 2012; Ary & Stroosnijder, 2010). The volume of wter used ws estimted s the product of rinfll (m) nd the cropped re (m 2 ). It is mthemticlly expressed s 1 3 (4) (5) 2.6 Sttisticl Anlysis of Field Results GenStt version 9.2 (Lwes Agriculturl Trust, 2007) sttisticl softwre ws used for nlysis of vrince nd student s T-test ws used for the seprtion of tretment mens. 78

4 3. Results nd Discussion 3.1 Climtic Vriles Rinfll (mm) Temperture ( O C) Rinfll (mm) Tmin ( C) Tmx ( C) 0 Jn Fe Mr Apr My Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Time (Month) 16.0 Figure 1. Summry of rinfll nd temperture of study re in Tmin ( o C) is minimum temperture nd Tmx ( o C) is mximum temperture. Dt Source: Svnn Agriculture Reserch Institute Agro-meteorologicl Unit, Nynkpl Tle 1. Initil soil physicl nd chemicl properties of Pisoplinthic Plinthosol nd Pisoplinthic Lixisol t the experimentl fields in the Guine Svnn Zone of Ghn Soil Type PLINTHOSOL LIXISOL Depth 10cm 20cm 10cm 20cm Soil texture Shre (%) Cly Silt Snd Grvel Soil chemicl properties PH OM (%) Totl N (%) Aville P (Bry I) (mg kg -1 ) Exchngele ctions (meq 100g -1 ) Mg C K N Mize Shoot Dry Biomss s Affected y Genotype nd Fertilizer Level Mize shoot dry mtter is presented in Figure 2. No genotypic difference ws oserved on shoot dry mtter etween 4 nd 8 WAP. With fertilizer effect on the prmeter, shoot dry mtter differed sttisticlly mong fertilizer levels t 8 WAP irrespective of the soil nd 6 WAP on Lixisol. Generlly, shoot dry mtter incresed with 79

5 incresing levels of inorgnic fertilizer ppliction throughout time. The lowest men dry mtter ws oserved t 0 kg h -1 NPK, prctice common with smllholder frmers, with highest mens recorded t 90 kg h -1 NPK, rte rrely pplied y frmers in the re. Findings from this study re consistent with reports of other studies of higher dry mtter yield resulting from incresing levels of minerl fertilizer (Modupeol et l., 2011). Frming with very little or without NPK fertilizer ppliction is common prctice of smll scle rurl frmers in northern Ghn. Fertilizer nutrient ppliction in Ghn is pproximtely 8 kg per h while depletion rtes, which re mong the highest in Afric, rnge from out 40 to 60 kg of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), nd potssium (K) per hectre per yer (Mrtey et l., 2014). This implies tht, essentil nutrients needed to support vegettive growth nd consequently dry mtter nd grin yield re not present regrdless of the soil type resulting in continued decline in yield. This is in support with Wormer et l. (2001) who stted tht plnts differ in their response to vrying soil fertility. However, there ws no interctive effect of genotype nd fertilizer on oth soils. Nevertheless, mize shoot dry mtter production ws lwys lower on the Lixisol except t 4 WAP. This could e ttriuted to the sustntil moisture vilility on Lixisol compred to Plinthosol within the first 4 WAP. On Plinthosol, plnting ws done dy fter 23.9 mm of rin nd the first four weeks recorded totl of mm of rinfll. On Lixisol however, plnting preceded two dys fter 28.6 mm of rin ws recorded nd the first four weeks ccumulted totl rinfll of mm. 3.3 Mize Lef Are Index (LAI) s Affected y Genotype nd Fertilizer Level Tle 2 presents the lef re index (LAI) of mize determined y the destructive (mnul) method clculted t 41, 52 nd 66 DAP on Plinthosol nd t 41, 51 nd 64 DAP on Lixisol. On Plinthosol, genotypic difference ws oserved t 66 DAP (P<0.01). On the Lixisol however, genotypic difference ws oserved only t 51 DAP. Generlly, Otnp recorded greter men LAI in this study. Dry mtter (x 10 3 kg h -1 ) Genotype Plinthosol Lixisol Site / Time (weeks fter plnting) Dry mtter (x 10 3 kg h -1 ) Fertilizer Plinthosol Lixisol Site / Time (weeks fter plnting) Otnp Dodzie Figure 2. Mize dry mtter s ffected y genotype nd fertilizer levels on two soils in the Guine svnn zone of Ghn. Different letters on the r indicte sttisticlly significnt differences t 5 % proility level. : Not significntly different LAI reched its pek t 52 nd 51 DAP on oth the Plinthosol nd Lixisol, respectively. Among minerl fertilizer levels, LAI differed significntly (P<0.05). Differences were highly significnt t 41 nd 52 DAP on the Plinthosol. All the stges determined recorded highest LAI t kg h -1 nd lowest t 0 kg h -1, except t 52 DAP in Plinthosol nd 64 DAP in Lixisol tht recorded highest LAI t kg h -1. However, differences in LAI etween kg h -1 nd kg h -1 were not significnt except t DAP41 on the Lixisol. Just s the ove growth prmeters, LAI lso incresed with incresing levels of inorgnic fertilizer. Lowest men LAI ws otined under no fertilizer. No interction etween genotypes nd fertilizer ppliction ws oserved except t 41 DAP on the Plinthosol. In ll of the tretments, LAI incresed t 52 DAP (on the Plinthosol) nd 51 DAP (Lixisol) nd decresed t 66 DAP (on Plinthosol) nd 64 DAP (on Lixisol). Decrese in LAI is due to ging of leves during lef senescence thus reducing the numer of photosyntheticlly ctive leves. Similr results hve een reported y Dlirie et l. (2010) in whet. 80

6 3.4 Grin Yield, Yield Component nd Hrvest index (HI) of Mize s Affected y Genotype nd Fertilizer Levels Tle 3 is summry of mize grin yield nd yield components nd their response to genotype nd minerl fertilizer levels. Grin yield ws significntly ffected y mize genotype on oth soils. Similr oservtion ws mde y Dlirie et l. (2010) on whet. Otnp yield ws significntly higher compred to Dodzie. This proly is ecuse it is lte mturing genotype which enefits from dditionl time to sor rdition nd produce more ssimiltes which re then converted into higher iomss nd yield. Genotypic effect on 100 seed weight ws significnt (P <.005) on oth soils. The higher 100 seed weight in Otnp suggests tht the extended grin filling period in the lte mturing vriety produced hevier seeds compred to the erly mturing vriety Dodzie. Aove ground iomss t hrvest weight differed (P <.005) significntly mong genotypes on the Plinthosol nd ws highly significnt (P <.001) on the Lixisol. In generl, Otnp recorded higher men vlues for yield prmeters on oth soils over Dodzie except for HI on the Plinthosol which showed opposite result. In the sme wy, the effect of minerl fertilizer ws prominent in this study. Tle 2. LAI of mize s ffected y genotype nd fertilizer levels on two soils in the Guine svnn zone of Ghn Tretments Genotype Plinthosol LAI Lixisol 41 DAP 52 DAP 66 DAP 41 DAP 51 DAP 64 DAP Dodzie Otnp LSD (0.05) Fertilizer Level LSD (0.05) Interction Dodzie x Dodzie x Dodzie x OB x OB x OB x LSD (0.05) 0.87 CV (%) : Not significntly different. Highly significnt difference (P<0.01) mong fertilizer levels ws oserved for ll yield prmeters mesured over the control on oth soils. Grin yield, ove ground iomss, 100 seed weight nd HI responded to incresing inorgnic fertilizer ppliction. Similrly to the ove growth prmeters, mize grin yield incresed with kg h -1 NPK followed y kg h -1 NPK, the recommended fertilizer rte for the zone for over two decdes now (Fosu et l., 2012). Lowest grin yield ws recorded when no fertilizer ws pplied on oth soils. Respectively on the Plinthosol nd the Lixisol, grin yield rnged from 246 nd 213 kg h -1 in the control plot to mximum of 2345 nd 2361 kg h -1 with the ppliction of kg h -1 NPK. 81

7 Tle 3. Mize grin yield nd yield components s ffected y genotype nd fertilizer levels on two soils in the Guine svnn zone of Ghn Grin Yield nd Yield Components Loction/Soil Plinthosol Lixisol Prmeters Tretments Genotype Grin weight (kg h -1 ) Aove ground Biomss (kg h -1 ) 100 seed weight (g) Hrvest Index (HI) Grin weight (kg h -1 ) Aove ground Biomss (kg h -1 ) 100 seed weight (g) Dodzie Otnp LSD (0.05) Fertilizer 0:0: :40: :60: LSD (0.05) Interction Dodzie x 0:0: Dodzie x :40:40 Dodzie x :60:60 Otnp x :0:0 Otnp x :40:40 Otnp x :60:60 LSD (0.05) Hrvest Index (HI) CV (%) : Not significntly different. Thus the dditionl gin in grin yield in the kg h -1 tretment ws 2117 kg h -1 (89.3%) nd 2148 kg h -1 (91.0%) over the control, which is the norml prctice of frmers in the re s ccess to inputs re lwys outside their rech nd soils in the re re inherently low in fertility to support crop growth nd development. A similr trend ws oserved for ove ground iomss, 100 seed weight nd hrvest index (HI). This highlights the extent to which soil fertility of the re hs deteriorted nd cn therefore not support crop production without the ppliction of externl input thus frustrting efforts of pesnt frmers nd their struggle of chieving food security nd incresing income. A similr result ws reported y Umr nd Moinuddin (2002) who oserved improved yields in groundnut genotypes y potssium nutrition under errtic rinfll conditions. Eqully, Kpongor et l. (2007) reported significnt grin yield increses in sorghum etween homested nd ush frms for ll levels of minerl phosphorus (P) nd nitrogen (N) fertilizer ppliction. Correspondingly, Fosu et l. (2012) reported tht incresing levels of N up to 120 kg h -1 incresed mize (Otnp) grin yield. Similr oservtion ws lso mde for millet yield in Niger y Akponikpè (2010). Interestingly, ppliction of kg h -1 NPK sw n increse in mize grin yield of up to 734 kg h -1 (45.6%) on Plinthosol nd 1006 kg h -1 (74%) on Lixisol compred to kg h-1. The interction etween genotype nd fertilizer ws highly significnt (p<.001) for mize grin yield on oth soils. Also in our study interctive effects were oserved for 100 seed weight, grin 82

8 yield (on the Plinthosol nd the Lixisol) nd HI (on the Plinthosol only). Similr results were reported for grin yield y Amujoyege et l. (2007) nd support his ssertion tht crop vrieties differ in their response to nutrient supply. This is evident for the ove prmeters tht showed levels of significnce to genotype nd fertilizer interction. Totl ove ground dry mtter did show n interctive effect etween genotype nd fertilizer levels on the Lixisol. On oth sites, differences etween the two genotypes were highest for grin yield when kg h -1 NPK ws pplied. When no minerl fertilizer ws pplied, there ws no significnt difference in grin yield etween the genotypes on oth soils. 3.5 Wter Use Efficiency (WUE) of Mize s Affected y Genotype nd Fertilizer Levels Wter use efficiency (WUE) ws clculted for oth soils in this study nd is presented in Figures 3. WUE ws significntly influenced y genotype (P<0.05) on oth soils. In oth cses, Otnp hd significntly higher WUE thn Dodzie. This could e ttriuted to Otnp eing full seson genotype nd continued to sty on the field fter Dodzie, short seson genotype, hd een hrvested. This implies, it will continue to enefit from dditionl resources (moisture, rdition nd nutrient reserves) therey utilizing the residul soil moisture for extr iomss production. The extr iomss produced results in high grin yield nd consequently reflects on high WUE s they re directly proportionl. Significnt genotypic effect on WUE ws reported on penut (Crufurd et l., 1998), chickpe (Brown et l., 1989), nd miscnthus (Clifton-Brown & Lewndowski, 2000). WUE responded to minerl fertilizer ppliction t ll levels. Fertilizer effect ws highly significnt (P<.001) on oth soils. Incresed WUE ws recorded with incresed minerl fertilizer ppliction. Wter Use Efficiency (kg h -1 m -3 ) Genotype Plinthosol Lixisol Soil Dodzi A Otnp Wter Use Efficiency (kg h -1 m -3 ) Fertilizer (kg h -1 N:P:K) c c Plinthosol Lixisol Soil B Wter Use Efficiency (kg h -1 m -3 ) Genotype x Fertilizer (kg h-1 N:P2O5:K2O) Interction c e e c d Plinthosol Lixisol C Dodzi x Dodzi x Dodzi x Otnp x Otnp x Otnp x Soil Figure 3. Mize Wter Use Efficiency (WUE) s ffected y genotype nd fertilizer levels on two soils in the Guine svnn zone of Ghn. Different letters on rs indicte sttisticlly significnt differences t 5 % proility level 83

9 On oth soils, highest WUE ws recorded with the ppliction of kg h -1 NPK nd the lowest WUE ws recorded when no fertilizer ws pplied. Severl uthors hve demonstrted the importnce of minerl fertilizer in improving WUE in mny studies (e.g. Stewrt, 2001; Cooper et l., 1987). This indictes tht soil fertility s well s cultivr choice is n importnt mngement fctor to improve grin yield with given mount of rin. Their sence limits crop ility to rech their potentils to efficiently utilize ville soil moisture. Fertilizer ppliction resulted in lrge increse in WUE thn genotype. Mening tht with pproprite fertilizer mngement, mize yield cn e incresed with the sme mount of rin, otining more crop yield per drop of rin. Similr oservtion ws reported in Cooper et l. (1987). This implies tht improved WUE results from either crop improvement tht increses yield per unit of wter trnspired, or from crop mngement prctices tht mximize trnspirtion reltive to other losses, or oth (Gregory, 2004). WUE ws significntly ffected y interction etween genotype nd fertilizer on oth soils. These findings support the ssertion y severl uthors (Turner, 2004; Gregory, 2004; Cooper et l.,1987) tht wter losses y soil evportion is decresed in fvor of trnspirtion y gronomic options such s pproprite fertilizer use nd new cultivrs, therey mking more wter ville for incresed wter use y the crop. 4. Conclusions Agriculture plys pivotl role in mny economies. Mize hs ecome the most importnt cerel in northern Ghn serving s oth csh crop nd the min stple for most communities. This study hs however een le to ddress some of the fctors tht hve led to decline in mize productivity in the re. Prmount is the primrily poor nture of soils which tody no longer support mize production without the ppliction of externl input. In ddition, rinfll vriility cuses decision prolem to frmers s to when to plnt. These impcts negtively on grin yield due to the uncertinty in wter supply. For frmers to cope with this phenomenon, genotypic differences in mturity hve ecome importnt in the dpttion of crops to climte vriility. Mize grin yield responded positively with the use of minerl fertilizer with n increse of out 84.4% nd 89.3% on Plinthosol nd 84.3% nd 91.0% on Lixisol t kg h -1 nd kg h -1 NPK respectively over control. These findings conclude therefore tht in order for the re to otin optimum yield nd increse income levels of frmers, minerl fertilizer ppliction to mize on depleted soils is prmount to food production. Also, significnt increse in grin yield of etween 15.6% nd 74.0% due to increse in fertilizer level eyond the recommended rte of the zone requires tht the over ged lnket fertilizer recommendtion for the re needs to e reviewed. With respect to genotypes, mize grin yield differed significntly mong genotype from this study. Dodzie nd Otnp recorded verge grin yield of 1249 nd 1585 kg h -1 respectively with corresponding WUE of 0.25 nd 0.27 kg grin per m 3 of wter over ll sites nd fertilizer levels. It cn therefore e concluded tht Otnp will e good choice in terms of genotypic selection y frmers to ddress issues of food security in the re. However, in yer of delyed rinfll, Dodzie, n erly mturing vriety could e used y frmers to void crop filure which might e cused y moisture stress s result of low moisture vilility oth in quntity nd in time within the seson. Acknowledgement This work is n output from grdute studies t the University of Bonn Germny. The principl uthor is full of pprecition for the Stte of North Rhine-Westphli, Germny nd the Allince for Green Revolution in Afric (AGRA) for funding this work. References Akponikpè, P. B. I., Gérrd, B., Michels, K., & Bielders, C. (2010). Use of the APSIM model in long term Simultion to Support Decision Mking Regrding Nitrogen Mngement for Perl Millet in the Shel. Europen Journl of Agronomy, 32(2), Amujoyege, B., Opode, J., & Olyink, A (2007). Effect of Orgnic nd Inorgnic Fertilizer on Yield nd Chlorophyll content of Mize (Ze mys L.) nd Sorghum Sorghum icolor (L.) Moench). Africn Journl of Biotechnology, 6(16), Anderson, J. M., & Ingrm, J. S. I. (1993). Tropicl soil iology nd fertility. A hnd ook of methods (2nd Ed.) C.A.B. Interntionl. U.K. Ary, A., & Stroosnijder, L. (2010). Effects of tied ridges nd mulch on rley (Hordeum vulgre) rinwter use efficiency nd production in Northern Ethiopi. Agriculturl Wter Mngement, 97, Btiono, A., Wsw, B., Kihr, J., & Kimetu, J. (2007). Advnces in Integrted Soil Fertility Mngement in su Shrn Afric: Chllenges nd Opportunities. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems:

10 Brimoh, A. K. (2004). Modelling Lnd-Use Chnge in the Volt Bsin of Ghn. Ecology nd Development Series No. 14. Centre for Development Reserch, Bonn, Germny. Bry, R. H., & Kurtz, L. T. (1945). Determintion of totl, orgnic, nd ville forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Science, 59, Brown, S. C., Gregory, P. J., Cooper, P. J. M., & Ketinge, J. D. H. (1989). Root nd Shoot Growth nd Wter Use Of Chickpe (Cicer rietinum) Grown in Drylnd Conditions: Effects of Sowing Dte nd Genotype. The Journl of Agriculturl Science, 113, Clifton-Brown, J. C., & Lewndowski, I. (2000). Wter Use Efficiency nd Biomss Prtitioning of Three Different Miscnthus Genotypes with Limited nd Unlimited Wter Supply. Annls of Botny, 86, Collier, P., Conwy, G., & Venles, T. (2008). Climte Chnge nd Afric. Oxford Review of Economic Policy 24(2), Cooper, P. J. M., Gregory, P. J., Tully, D., & Hrris, H. C. (1987). Improving Wter use Efficiency of Annul Crops in the Rinfed Frming Systems of West Asi nd North Afric. Experimentl Agriculture, 23, Cooper, P. J. M., Gregory, P. J., Ketinge, J. D. H., & Brown, S. C. (1987). Effects of Fertilizer, Vriety nd Loction on Brley Production under Rinfed Conditions in Northern Syri. 2. Soil Wter Dynmics nd Crop Wter Use. Field Crops Reserch, 16, Crufurd, P. Q., Wheeler, T. R., Ellis, R. H., Summerfield, R. J. nd Willims, J. H. (1998). Effect of Temperture nd Wter Deficit on Wter-Use Efficiency, Cron Isotope Discrimintion, nd Specific Lef Are in Penut. Crop Science, 39(1), Dlirie, M. S., Shrifi, R. S., Frzneh, S. (2010). Evlution of Yield, Dry Mtter Accumultion nd Lef Are Index in Whet Genotypes s ffected y Terminl Drought Stress. Notule Botnice Horti Agrootnici Cluj-Npoc, 38(1), Ekoir, J., Bo, K., & Dnkyi, A. A. (2002). Impcts of No-Till Technologies in Ghn. Mexico D.F.: CIMMYT. Ephrim, W., & Chirw, E. W. (2007). Sources of Technicl Efficiency mong Smllholder Mize Frmers in Southern Mlwi. AERC Reserch Pper 172. Africn Economic Reserch Consortium, Niroi. Europen Journl of Agronomy, 18, Fening, J. O., Ewusi- Mensh, N., & Sfo, E. Y. (2011). Short-term effects of Cttle Mnure Compost nd NPK Appliction on Mize Grin Yield nd Soil Chemicl nd Physicl Properties. Agriculturl Science Reserch Journl, 1(3), Fosu, M., Kuhne, F. R., & Vlek, L. G. P. (2004). Improving Mize Yield in the Guine Svnnh Zone of Ghn with Leguminous Cover Crops nd PK Fertiliztion. Journl of Agronomy, 3, Fosu, M., Buh, S. S., Knton, R. A. L., & Agyre, W. A. (2012). Modeling Mize Response to Minerl Fertilizer on Silty Cly Lom in the Northern Svnn Zone of Ghn. Using DSSAT Model. Improving Soil Fertility Recommendtions in Afric using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Trnsfer (DSSAT), Springer Netherlnds, Fosu-Mensh, B. Y., Vlek, P. L. G., & McCrthy, D. S. (2012). Frmers Perception nd Adpttion to Climte Chnge: A Cse Study of Sekyedumse District in Ghn. Environment, Development nd Sustinility, 14, Gregory, P. J. (2004). Agronomic pproches to incresing wter use efficiency. Wter Use Efficiency in Plnt Biology. Retrieved from ooks.google.com Inoue, N., & Hgiwr, M. (2000). Reltionship etween the Hrvest Index nd Durtion of ech Developmentl Stge of Shoot Apex in Common Buckwhet. Fgopyrum, 17, Ismil, U., Gn, A. S., Tswny, N. M., & Dogr, D. (2010). Cerels Production in Nigeri: Prolems, Constrints nd Opportunities for Betterment. Africn Journl of Agriculturl Reserch, 5(12), Ksei, C. N., & Afukw, J. J. (1991). Determintion of Optimum Plnting Dte nd Growing Seson of Mize in the Northern Svnn Zone of Ghn. Soil Wter Blnce in the Sudno-Shelin Zone (Proceedings of the Nimey Workshop, Ferury 1991). IAHS Pul. no.199. Nimey, Niger. 85

11 Kpongor, D. L., Pul, D., SVlek, L. G., Denich, M., Rodgers, C. M. C., & vn de Giesen, N. (2007). Sptilly Explicit Modeling of Sorghum (Sorghum icolor (L.) Moench) Production on Complex Terrin of Semi-Arid Region in Ghn using APSIM. Ecology nd Development Series No.51. Centre for Development Reserch, Bonn, Germny. Lwes Agriculturl Trust (Rothmsted Experimentl Sttion). (2007). GenStt (9th Ed.). GenSttProcedure Lirry. Relese PL17.1 Lwson, I. Y. D., Mensh, E. A., & Yeoh, E. N. (2008). Improving the Estlishment nd Yield of Soyen through Plnting Depth nd Lnd Preprtion Methods in Northern Ghn. West Africn Journl of Applied Ecology, 14, 1-8. Mrtey, E., Wiredu A. N., Etwire, P. M., Fosu, M., Buh, S. S. J., Bidzkin, J., Kusi, F. (2014). Fertilizer Adoption nd Use Intensity mong Smllholder Frmers in Northern Ghn: A Cse Study of the AGRA Soil Helth Project. Sustinle Agriculture Reserch, 3(1), MiDA. (2010). Investment opportunity in Ghn: Mize, rice, nd soyen. Millennium Development Authority. Accr, Ghn. Modupeol, T. O., Ogunrinde, J. O., Adul-Rfiu, A. M., & Idowu-Agid, O. O. (2011). Effects of Poultry Mnure nd NPK Fertilizer on Dry Mtter Yield nd Uptke of Nutrients in Mize. Continentl Journl of Agronomy, 5(1), MoFA. (1998). Ntionl Soil Fertility Mngement Action Pln. Directorte of Crop Services. Ministry of Food nd Agriculture. Accr. Ghn. Moll, R. H., & Kmprth, E. J. (1977). Effects of Popultion Diversity Upon Agronomic Trits Associted with Genetic Increses in Yield Of Mize (Ze mys L). Agronomy Journl, 69, Mwngi, W. M. (1996). Low Use of Fertilizers nd Low Productivity in Su-Shrn Afric. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 47(2), Nelson, D. W., & Sommers, L. W. (1982). Totl orgnic cron nd orgnic mtter. In A. C. Pge (ed.), Methods of Soil Anlysis, prt 2. Chemicl nd microiologicl properties. Agronomy Monogrph, No. 7 Mdison W, USA. Nelson, J. L., Bown, L. C., & Viets, F. G. Jr. (1959). A Method for Assessing Zinc Sttus of Soils using Acid-Extrtle nd Titrtle Alklinity Vlues. Soil Science, 88, Rockstrom, J., Brron, J., & Fox, P. (2003). Wter Productivity in Rin-fed Agriculture: Chllenges nd Opportunities for Smllholder Frmers in Drought-prone Tropicl Agroecosystems. UNESCO-IHE Institute for Wter Eduction, Delft, The Netherlnds. Stewrt, W. M. (2001). Blnced Fertiliztion Increses Wter Use Efficiency. News nd News. A regionl Newsletter Pulished y the Potsh & Phosphte Institute (PPI) nd the Potsh & Phosphte Institute of Cnd (PPIC). Luock, Cnd. Tel, D. A., & Hgtey, M. (1984). Methodology in Soil Chemicl Anlyses. pp In Soil nd Plnt nlyses. Study guide for Agriculturl Lortory Directors nd Technologist working in Tropicl Regions. IITA, Nigeri. Turner, N. C. (2004). Agronomic Options for Improving Rinfll-Use Efficiency of Crops in Drylnd Frming Systems. Journl of Experimentl Botny, 55(407), Umr, S., & Moinuddin. (2002).Genotypic Differences in Yield nd Qulity of Groundnut s Affected y Potssium Nutrition Under Errtic Rinfll Conditions. Journl of Plnt Nutrition, 25(7), vn Hlsem, G. E., & Vincent, L. (2012). Efficiency nd productivity terms for wter mngement: A mtter of contextul reltivism versus generl solutism. Agriculturl Wter Mngement, 108, Wtson, D. J. (1952).The Physiologicl Bsis of Vrition in Yield. Advnces in Agronomy, 4,

12 Wiredu, N. A., Gysi, K. O., Adoulye, T., Snogo, D., nd Lngyintuo, A. (2010). Chrcteriztion of Mize Producing Households in the Northern Region of Ghn. Country Report Ghn. CSRI/SARI IITA, Idn, Nigeri. 24 pp. Wopereis, M. C. S., Tmélokpo, A., Ezui, K., Gnkpénou, D., Fofn, B., & Bremn, H. (2006). Minerl Fertilizer Mngement of Mize on Frmer Fields Differing in Orgnic Inputs in the West Africn Svnn. Field Crops Reserch, 96(2-3), Wormer P. L., Ln gt, M., & Mukhwn, E. (2001). Strtified Intercropping of Fertilized Mize nd Legumes in Western Keny. Fifth Binnul Conference of the Africn Crop Science Society. Aeokut, Nigeri. p. 60. Copyrights Copyright for this rticle is retined y the uthor(s), with first puliction rights grnted to the journl. This is n open-ccess rticle distriuted under the terms nd conditions of the Cretive Commons Attriution license ( 87