Producing high yields of maize is a challenge due to the decrease in soil fertility. To overcome this, it is necessary to continuously apply fertilizers.
In Kenya, the best fertilizers for maize planting are diammonium phosphate (DAP) and farmyard manure(cow, sheep, goat or pig manure).
Although DAP fertilizer can increase soil acidity, research indicates it is the most effective fertilizer for faster maize growth.
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Why DAP is the best planting fertilizer
A sustainable maize production research paper in the Trans-Nzoia district of Kenya discovered that applying DAP at a rate of 188kg/ha resulted in the best mean yield across the varieties, while single super phosphate (SSP) was the least effective treatment.
There was no significant difference in yield among DAP at 188kg/ha, DAP at 125kg/ha, and farmyard manure at 5 tons/Ha.
The poor performance of SSP was attributed to its lack of nitrogen, an essential plant nutrient.
As a result, the crop showed signs of chlorosis before topdressing, which slowed growth and led to poor yield.
The non-significant difference in yield between SSP and the control (no fertilizer) was due to the acidic soil fixing the applied phosphorus.
Using phosphorus alone without nitrogen can also result in poor phosphorus uptake, as the two elements work together to increase uptake.
Conclusion
To sum up, both DAP and farmyard manure are excellent fertilizers for maize planting in Kenya.
The rate of fertilizer application is directly proportional to the seed rate per hectare. Since farmyard manure is just as effective as DAP and organic,
It is recommended that farmers use it to reduce maize production costs.
Organic manure may release nutrients more slowly, but it is a better option than DAP fertilizer, which can increase soil acidity and reduce yields in the long run.
Additionally, organic manure can increase soil carbon content, improving soil biophysical conditions and nutrient recovery
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