Assessment of the nitrogen fertilizer split-application on maize grain yield and profitability on Nitisols of South-Kivu, Eastern D.R. Congo
Abstract Soil depletion constitutes a major challenge for agriculture and food security in highlands of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the split-application of nitrogen fertilizer on grain yield and profitability of maize on Nitisols in ea...
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| Language: | English |
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CABI
2024-02-01
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| Series: | CABI Agriculture and Bioscience |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-024-00224-3 |
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| author | Patient M. Zamukulu Espoir M. Bagula Jean M. Mondo Géant B. Chuma Gisèle M. Bulonza Sarah Mwaluke Yannick Mugumaarhahama Céphas B. Mwimangire Eloïs L. Cinyabuguma Antoine K. Lubobo Gustave N. Mushagalusa |
| author_facet | Patient M. Zamukulu Espoir M. Bagula Jean M. Mondo Géant B. Chuma Gisèle M. Bulonza Sarah Mwaluke Yannick Mugumaarhahama Céphas B. Mwimangire Eloïs L. Cinyabuguma Antoine K. Lubobo Gustave N. Mushagalusa |
| author_sort | Patient M. Zamukulu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Soil depletion constitutes a major challenge for agriculture and food security in highlands of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the split-application of nitrogen fertilizer on grain yield and profitability of maize on Nitisols in eastern DRC. The urea fertilizer (100 kg ha−1) was applied in single, two, and three split-applications on three maize varieties for two cropping seasons. Results showed that maize growth and yield parameters varied significantly with N splitting strategy, varieties, and cropping season (p < 0.01). The single N application at the 45th day after sowing presented the highest grain yield (5.5 t ha−1) compared to split-applications for both cropping seasons. The variety 'ZM 627' had the highest grain yield in both seasons (5.4 and 5.8 t ha−1 for 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons, respectively). The benefit–cost ratio analysis showed that single application was more profitable, i.e. 1.63 USD kg−1 of fertilizer compared to two (0.6 USD kg−1) and three splits (0.22 USD kg−1 of fertilizer), though dependent on used varieties. The trend was the same for agronomic efficiency (AE); the single application yielded 11 kg kg−1 of maize grains. In addition, the split applications resulted in additional labor costs. Results from this study do not, therefore, recommend the N splitting strategy for maize on South-Kivu Nitisols. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-56ede266a11e4ee9a632300dfff48338 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-4044 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | CABI |
| record_format | Article |
| series | CABI Agriculture and Bioscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-56ede266a11e4ee9a632300dfff483382025-02-03T09:13:55ZengCABICABI Agriculture and Bioscience2662-40442024-02-015111210.1186/s43170-024-00224-3Assessment of the nitrogen fertilizer split-application on maize grain yield and profitability on Nitisols of South-Kivu, Eastern D.R. CongoPatient M. Zamukulu0Espoir M. Bagula1Jean M. Mondo2Géant B. Chuma3Gisèle M. Bulonza4Sarah Mwaluke5Yannick Mugumaarhahama6Céphas B. Mwimangire7Eloïs L. Cinyabuguma8Antoine K. Lubobo9Gustave N. Mushagalusa10Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Université Evangélique en AfriqueFaculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Université Evangélique en AfriqueFaculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Université Evangélique en AfriqueFaculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Université Evangélique en AfriqueFaculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Université Evangélique en AfriqueFaculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Université Evangélique en AfriqueFaculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Université Evangélique en AfriqueFaculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Université Evangélique en AfriqueNational Institute for Agricultural Study and ResearchHarvestPlus Project, International Centre for Tropical AgricultureFaculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Université Evangélique en AfriqueAbstract Soil depletion constitutes a major challenge for agriculture and food security in highlands of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the split-application of nitrogen fertilizer on grain yield and profitability of maize on Nitisols in eastern DRC. The urea fertilizer (100 kg ha−1) was applied in single, two, and three split-applications on three maize varieties for two cropping seasons. Results showed that maize growth and yield parameters varied significantly with N splitting strategy, varieties, and cropping season (p < 0.01). The single N application at the 45th day after sowing presented the highest grain yield (5.5 t ha−1) compared to split-applications for both cropping seasons. The variety 'ZM 627' had the highest grain yield in both seasons (5.4 and 5.8 t ha−1 for 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons, respectively). The benefit–cost ratio analysis showed that single application was more profitable, i.e. 1.63 USD kg−1 of fertilizer compared to two (0.6 USD kg−1) and three splits (0.22 USD kg−1 of fertilizer), though dependent on used varieties. The trend was the same for agronomic efficiency (AE); the single application yielded 11 kg kg−1 of maize grains. In addition, the split applications resulted in additional labor costs. Results from this study do not, therefore, recommend the N splitting strategy for maize on South-Kivu Nitisols.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-024-00224-3Nitrogen splitting strategyFertilizationNitisolsYieldZea maysKabare |
| spellingShingle | Patient M. Zamukulu Espoir M. Bagula Jean M. Mondo Géant B. Chuma Gisèle M. Bulonza Sarah Mwaluke Yannick Mugumaarhahama Céphas B. Mwimangire Eloïs L. Cinyabuguma Antoine K. Lubobo Gustave N. Mushagalusa Assessment of the nitrogen fertilizer split-application on maize grain yield and profitability on Nitisols of South-Kivu, Eastern D.R. Congo CABI Agriculture and Bioscience Nitrogen splitting strategy Fertilization Nitisols Yield Zea mays Kabare |
| title | Assessment of the nitrogen fertilizer split-application on maize grain yield and profitability on Nitisols of South-Kivu, Eastern D.R. Congo |
| title_full | Assessment of the nitrogen fertilizer split-application on maize grain yield and profitability on Nitisols of South-Kivu, Eastern D.R. Congo |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of the nitrogen fertilizer split-application on maize grain yield and profitability on Nitisols of South-Kivu, Eastern D.R. Congo |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of the nitrogen fertilizer split-application on maize grain yield and profitability on Nitisols of South-Kivu, Eastern D.R. Congo |
| title_short | Assessment of the nitrogen fertilizer split-application on maize grain yield and profitability on Nitisols of South-Kivu, Eastern D.R. Congo |
| title_sort | assessment of the nitrogen fertilizer split application on maize grain yield and profitability on nitisols of south kivu eastern d r congo |
| topic | Nitrogen splitting strategy Fertilization Nitisols Yield Zea mays Kabare |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-024-00224-3 |
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