Plant Density, Nitrogen Fertility and Variety Recommendation for Maize Production in Semi-coral Environment of Pemba, Zanzibar

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to determine best suited among available varieties of maize in pemba island del, and to establish recommendations for optimized plant density and Nitrogen fertilization for increasing productivity of the del crop for the tested varieties. Three improved varieties (Staha, Situka, TMV-1) were planted against variety JKU, a locally grown type in the area. Other 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). Growth and production of the maize crop were significantly impacted by the treatment sources of variation (varieties, densities, and fertiliser rates). Yield difference between the best and worst performing varieties was approximately 69 percent. Optimized spacing resulted in a yield difference of up to 32.9 percent, while improved nitrogen fertility resulted in a yield increase of up to 28.8 percent. For best maize yields in the area, the variety Staha, grown at a spacing of 75 cm 20 cm, yielding a plant population of 66,666 ha-1; and the use of nitrogen at 70 kgN/ha is recommended. The best practise is to optimise all three factors simultaneously.