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Maize is an important food crop in the semi-coral area of Pemba Island. Production has however
never met demand due to very poor yields, about 1.0 t/ha in the area. An experiment was conducted
to establish agronomic recommendations for increasing the maize crop productivity. Three
improved varieties (Staha, Situka, TMV-1) were tested against variety JKU, a locally grown type
in the area. 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). The treatment sources of variation (varieties,
densities and fertilizer rates) had significant effects on growth and yield of the maize crop. Use of
variety Staha significantly (P < 0.05) improved yield compared to the local variety (JKU) and the
other tested varieties. Yield difference between best performing and least performing variety was
about 69%. Through optimized spacing yield difference as much as 32.9% was achieved while
through improved Nitrogen fertility yield was increased by as much as 28.8%. The use of variety
Staha, grown at a spacing of 75 cm × 20 cm giving a plant population of 66,666 ha-1; and the use
of nitrogen at 70 kgN/ha is recommended for best maize yields in the area. The best practice is to
optimize all the three factors in combination. |
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