Agronomic package for maize production in semi-coral environment of Pemba, Zanzibar

Abstract

Maize is an important food crop in the semi-coral area of Pemba Island. Production has however never met demand due to very poor yields, about 1.0 t/ha in the area. An experiment was conducted to establish agronomic recommendations for increasing the maize crop productivity. Three improved varieties (Staha, Situka, TMV-1) were tested against variety JKU, a locally grown type in the area. Treatments included four nitrogen rates (23, 46, 70 and 90 kgN/ha) and three plant densities (44,444; 53,333 and 66,666 plants/ha). The treatment sources of variation (varieties, densities and fertilizer rates) had significant effects on growth and yield of the maize crop. Use of variety Staha significantly (P < 0.05) improved yield compared to the local variety (JKU) and the other tested varieties. Yield difference between best performing and least performing variety was about 69%. Through optimized spacing yield difference as much as 32.9% was achieved while through improved Nitrogen fertility yield was increased by as much as 28.8%. The use of variety Staha, grown at a spacing of 75 cm × 20 cm giving a plant population of 66,666 ha-1; and the use of nitrogen at 70 kgN/ha is recommended for best maize yields in the area. The best practice is to optimize all the three factors in combination

Keywords: Optimized spacing, Plant density, Nitrogen rate, Grain yield