1. On-Farm Demonstrations of Maize GAP: a case study of Nkoranza and Savelugu municipalities, Ghana
IMAGINE project
25 April 2017, Samuel Adjei-Nsiah
Contributors data collection: Gyan, Samuel, Clement
Pictures taken by: Samuel

2. Introduction
Maize is an important staple and the most consumed cereal in Ghana
Yield is however low averaging about 1.7 tons per hectare
There has been a lot of intervention within the last decade in terms of research and development
Yield has however increased marginally within the last 25 years averaging about 1.5% per annum

3. Introduction The low yield is attributed to several factors including
Reliance on rainfall
Low use of fertilizers
Poor agronomic practices
Fertilization (timing and amount) is the most important factor that accounts for large yield gaps in crops in Africa
But depends among others on the soil fertility status and variety

4. Objectives
Determine the effect of different fertilizer rates and recommended and farmers planting densities on yield of maize
Evaluate farmers own variety and improved maize varieties on yield of maize

5. Materials and Methods: study sites
Nkoranza
Savelugu
Season
Minor: Sept. - Dec
Major: April - August
Main: Jun – Oct.

6. Materials and Methods: Study sites
Nkoranza
Savelugu
Seasons
Minor, major
1 main
Household members 5 11
TLU
0.6
4.4
Farm area (ha)
3.3
4.7
Plot distance home (km)
2.0
0.9
Tractor ownership (%) 16
Rental of land (%) 33 2
Fertilizer use (%) 78 64
Manure use (%) 3
Herbicide use (%) 99
100
Use of improved seeds (%) 10
High herbicide use: they use Atrazine, Nicogan, Nicoplus, Glyphosate

7. Materials and Methods
Demonstration 1: Evaluation of Recommended and Farmers’ Planting density and 4 fertilizer rates
Location: Boroahohuo (Nkoranza) and Langa (Savelugu)
Replications: 4 farmers
Plot Size: 12 by 10 m2
Planting dates: Savelugu: July 7 and 16
Nkoranza: September 2 and 8

8. Materials and Methods Fertilizer rates:0 kg ha-1; 250 kg ha-1; 375
kg ha-1and 500 kg ha-1 NPK ( )
representing 57.5, and 115 kg N ha-1
Recommended planting density: 53, 333 plants ha-1
Farmers’ planting density:
Savelugu: 15,800 – 25, 000 plants ha-1 Nkoranza: 12, , 000 plants ha-1

9. Materials and Methods
Demonstration 2- Evaluation of farmers’ and improved varieties of maize
Location: Bibiani (Nkoranza) and Nyetua (Savelugu)
Replications: 4
Plot size: 10 by 12 m2
Varieties: Pannar 53 (hybrid), DT Maize (OPV), Obaatampa (OPV), Farmers’ Variety
Planting density: 53, 333
Planting date :Nkoranza- 1 and 8 Sept
Savelugu: 15 Jul

10. Material and methods
Soil chemical and physical properties of the Demonstration plots pH OC
Total N Ca Mg K
Bray 1 P (ppm)
Sand
Clay
Silt
cmol kg-1
g kg-1
Nyetua
6.5
6.2.
0.7
1.9
0.9
2.42
3.6
660 90
260
Langa
6.4
4.5
0.4
1.14
0.57
1.22
6.9
680
230
Bibiani
7.0
5.0
0.5
2.27
0.77
0.26
20.7
760 70
170
Broahohuo
6.6
9.6
0.89
1.23
7.42
730
180

11. Materials and methods
Data were analyzed with linear mixed model using R statistical package. Means were separated using Least Significant Difference (lsd)

12. RESULTS: Demonstration 1 (Grain yield)
Grain yields were higher at Savelugu than at Nkoranza and differ significantly among the different rates
Grain yield did not differ significantly among the different fertilizer rates at Nkoranza but significantly at Savelugu

13. RESULTS: Demonstration 1 (No of cobs)
Cob number was higher at Savelugu than at Nkoranza
Cob number did not differ significantly among the different fertilizer rates at Nkoranza but at Savelugu

14. RESULTS: Demonstration 1 (Stover yield)
Stover yields were higher in Nkoranza than in Savelugu and highest with the High fertilizer rate and lowest with the zero rate

15. RESULTS: Demonstration 1 (Stover yield)
Recommended spacing (RS) gave higher stover yield than the farmers practice (FP)

16. RESULTS: Demonstration 2 (grain yield)
Grain yields were higher in Savelugu than in Nkoranza
The Pannar maize gave the highest yield while the Obaatampa gave the lowest grain yield but in Nkoranza the farmers’ variety gave almost the same grain yield as the Pannar

17. Maize varieties evaluated

18. RESULTS: Demonstration 2 (Number of cobs)
Number of cobs were higher in Savelugu than in Nkoranza
In both Nkoranza and Savelugu the number of cobs were lower with Obaatampa but highest with Pannar at Savelugu and with farmers’ variety at Nkoranza

19. RESULTS: Demonstration 2 (Stover yield)
Stover yield was higher in Nkoranza than at Savelugu
At both Nkoranza and Savelugu, the farmers’ variety had the highest stover yield while the Obaatampa had the lowest stover yield

20. Field Days Stage of crop (WAP) District Community Total 1 Savelugu
Langa 39 10 52 14 68
Nyetua 53 65 15 71
Nkoranza
Boroahohuo 46 66 87
Babiani 32
Babiabi 41 60
680

21. Conclusion
Rainfall is an important yield determinant for maize grain yield
Maize cannot be successfully cultivated without mineral fertilizer
Farmers’ local varieties may produce good yield under good management practices
Fertilizer application may not produce the desired results if rainfall is not adequate

22. Thank you for your attention
Questions?
Contributors data collection: Gyan, Samuel, Clement
Pictures taken by: Samuel