Optimizing Sulfur Fertilizer Application Rate for Profitable Maize Production in the Savanna Agroecological Zones of Northern Ghana
| Author | Sampson Agyin-Birikorang | |
| Author | Ignatius Tindjina | |
| Author | Job Fugice | |
| Author | Haruna W. Dauda | |
| Author | Alhaji Rahman Issahaku | |
| Author | Mumuni Iddrissu | |
| Author | Upendra Singh | |
| Jurisdiction: | Ghana | |
| Date of acession | 2023-08-30T12:51:09Z | |
| Date of availability | 2023-08-30T12:51:09Z | |
| Date of issue | 2022-04-15 | |
| 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. | |
| 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 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2022.2063740 | |
| URL | https://hub.ifdc.org/handle/20.500.14297/2340 | |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2022.2063740 | |
| Language | en_US | |
| Subject | Maize | |
| Subject | Sulphur | |
| Subject | Nitrogen | |
| Title | Optimizing Sulfur Fertilizer Application Rate for Profitable Maize Production in the Savanna Agroecological Zones of Northern Ghana | |
| Type | Article |