Maize Fertilizer Timing Trial Results

Maize is the most important grain in Kenya and one of the most important crops throughout eastern and southern Africa. Maize is a heavy nitrogen (N) feeder, with up to 100 kilograms (kg) of N required to produce good yields. However, maize plants require relatively little N when small, and greater amounts of N midway through the season. If N fertilization is not in synchrony with plant N-demand, this can result in poor fertilizer use efficiency and reduce return on investment for farmers. It is common for farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa to apply N fertilizer based on plant
height (e.g., knee-height or waist-height). Many organizations across Africa promote this methodology, including One Acre Fund. However, plant height may not be a good proxy for plant N demand. Much research has shown that plant N demand is more correlated to the number of leaves on the developing plants. Simple changes in this methodology may have implications for millions maize farmers across Africa. In 2015, One Acre Fund trialed plant morphology-based fertilizer timing trainings with smallholder farmers in Kenya.