Agronomic package for maize production in semi-coral environment of Pemba, Zanzibar
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Date
2017
Authors
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Publisher
AJOL
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.
Description
Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences (2017) Vol. 16 No. 1, 1-8
Keywords
Optimized spacing, Plant density, Nitrogen rate, Grain yield