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    Unlocking maize crop productivity through improved management practices in northern Tanzania

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    Journal Article (374.4Kb)
    Date
    2020-12
    Author
    Kihara J.
    Kizito F.
    Jumbo M.
    Kinyua M.
    Bekunda, M.
    Type
    Journal Article
    Review Status
    Peer Review
    Target Audience
    Scientists
    Metadata
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    Abstract/Description
    Addressing the problem of low crop productivity and food insecurity can be accelerated through community-centered implementation of good agricultural management practices. This study was conducted in Babati, Northern Tanzania. The objective of thestudy was to determine nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) application requirements formaize, and demonstrate economically viable best bet yield-improving management-technologies under three ecozones namely; ‘low elevation low rainfall’, ‘medium elevation high rainfall’ and ‘medium elevation low rainfall’ ecozone. Two sets of trials were conducted: N (0, 45, 90, 120 and 150 kg ha-1) and P (0, 15, 30, 40 kg ha-1) responsetrials in 16 representative fields in three seasons of 2013/14, 2014/205 and 2015/16 and; demonstrations trials in 8 farmer-selected fields in 2015/16 season. Combined N and P application increased maize yields by 32 to 62% over single nutrient applications. In the medium elevation low rainfall ecozone, 60-86% yield response to nitrogen was observed.Largely, modest applications of 50 kg N ha-1 and 20 kg P ha-1 resulted in profitable (marginal rate of return (MRR) of 2.4 to 3.0) yield increases of up to 214% over the farmers practice (unfertilized), varying with variety and ecozone. The source of P (DAP or Minjingu Mazao) had little influence on maize productivity except under low altitude low rainfall where Minjingu Mazao is unprofitable. Farmer rankings and agronomic indices showed new maize hybrids namely Meru H513, Meru H515 and SC627 as priority across the ecozones; Mams H913 is suitable mainly in medium elevation low rainfall ecozone. The conclusion is that use of new maize hybrids and appropriate rates of locally available N and P nutrient sources can bridge existing yield gaps and reduce food insecurity. Technologies from community-driven research in development are easily adopted by a large number of farmers and could result in a quick, yet lasting productivity gains.
    https://dx.doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.95.17965
    Multi standard citation
    Permanent link to this item
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12478/7160
    IITA Authors ORCID
    Job Kiharahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4394-9553
    Fred Kizitohttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7488-2582
    Mateete Bekundahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7297-9383
    Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
    https://dx.doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.95.17965
    Research Themes
    Natural Resource Management
    IITA Subjects
    Agronomy; Food Security; Maize; Nutrition; Plant Breeding; Plant Production
    Agrovoc Terms
    Fertilizer Application; Phosphorus; Nitrogen; Soil Fertility; Maize; Crop Yield; Tanzania
    Regions
    Africa; East Africa
    Countries
    Tanzania
    Hubs
    Eastern Africa Hub
    Journals
    African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
    Collections
    • Journal and Journal Articles4835
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