Optimizing Sulfur Fertilizer Application Rate for Profitable Maize Production in the Savanna Agroecological Zones of Northern Ghana
Date
2022-04-15
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Abstract
Although several studies have established the importance of sulfur (S) in increasing maize productivity in the savanna agroecological zones (AEZs) of northern Ghana, the economically optimum S application rate is still unknown. In a two-year study at eight locations across the AEZs, we determined the economically optimum S application rate for S-deficient soils. We compared eight S application rates, ranging from 0 to 70 kg ha−1 at 10 kg intervals, for optimal maize productivity and profitability. The study identified 30 kg S ha−1 as the minimum rate that resulted in a plant tissue S concentration above the critical level of 0.15%. Although increasing the S application rate resulted in increases in maize grain yield, application of S beyond a rate of 30 kg ha−1 resulted in increases in maize grain yield that were not statistically significant and leveled off at 50 kg S ha−1. Application rates ≥50 kg ha−1 resulted in a high proportion of the applied S not taken up by the plant and, thus, subject to losses from the soil. Based on agro-input prices at the local level and the farm-gate prices of maize, the greatest potential profit resulting from S application was observed at 30 kg S ha−1, with a projected average maize yield of between ∼4.2 and 5.3 Mg ha−1, representing >90% of the observed yield with the highest S application rate of 70 kg ha−1. Thus, we conclude that, for sustainable and profitable maize production in S-deficient soils of the savanna AEZs of northern Ghana, an S applications rate of 30 kg ha−1 is economically justified.
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Keywords
Maize, Sulphur, Nitrogen
Citation
Sampson Agyin-Birikorang, Ignatius Tindjina, Job Fugice Jr., Haruna W. Dauda, Alhaji Rahman Issahaku, Mumuni Iddrissu & Upendra Singh (2022) Optimizing sulfur fertilizer application rate for profitable maize production in the savanna agroecological zones of Northern Ghana, Journal of Plant Nutrition, 45:15, 2315-2331, DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2022.2063740