CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the major cereal crops cultivated in Nigeria. It serves as food for humans, feed for livestock and poultry, and raw material for various industries. Figures from the United States Department of Agriculture, as reported by Ngonadi et al. (2023), indicate that Nigeria produced approximately 11.6 million tonnes of maize in the 2021/2022 production season. This level of production highlights the importance of maize to the country's food supply and the income of farming households.

Maize requires adequate nutrients for proper growth and development because it grows rapidly, produces considerable plant matter and absorbs large quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from the soil. However, many savanna soils contain low levels of organic matter and essential plant nutrients. Muhammad et al. (2024) identified low soil fertility, irregular rainfall distribution, inappropriate plant population, poor adoption of improved farming practices and the use of local unimproved varieties as some of the major factors limiting maize production in their study area. Similarly, Ederigbe et al. (2024), in a study involving four farmers' fields in Minna, reported that the soils were slightly to moderately acidic and had low levels of soil organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus.

NPK fertilizer is widely used by farmers to supply these essential nutrients. One commonly available type is NPK 15:15:15, which contains equal proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. For instance, an application of 150 kg/ha provides 22.5 kg each of nitrogen, phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) and potassium oxide (K₂O) (Ederigbe et al., 2024). However, this quantity may not be sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of maize grown for high yields. The quantity of fertilizer applied is therefore important. Applying too little fertilizer may result in nutrient deficiency and reduced crop production, while excessive application can increase production costs, lead to nutrient losses and negatively affect soil and water resources.

Research conducted in different parts of Nigeria has demonstrated that maize responds to different NPK fertilizer application rates. At Samaru in the northern Guinea savanna, Muhammad et al. (2024) investigated the effects of NPK fertilizer rates of 200, 300 and 400 kg/ha, alongside four intra-row spacing arrangements and three maize varieties. Their findings showed that increasing the NPK application rate from 200 to 400 kg/ha significantly improved plant height, ear height, 100-grain weight and grain yield. The researchers also observed a reduction in the number of days required for the maize plants to reach 50% tasseling. They recommended applying 400 kg/ha of NPK fertilizer when cultivating SAMMAZ 40 at intra-row spacings of 20 or 25 cm.

In another study conducted in the southern Guinea savanna at Minna, Ederigbe et al. (2024) compared the farmers' conventional application rate of 150 kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15 with a special-blend NPK fertilizer applied at 600 kg/ha, cow dung and combinations of the organic and inorganic fertilizers. The results indicated that all fertilizer treatments performed significantly better than the unfertilized control in terms of plant height and leaf area index. However, there were no significant differences among the NPK fertilizer treatments and their combinations with cow dung. The special-blend NPK treatment recorded the tallest plants and the highest grain yield of 1.92 tonnes per hectare.

The findings from these studies demonstrate the importance of NPK fertilizer in maize production. They also indicate that the fertilizer rate associated with improved crop performance may be higher than the quantity commonly applied by farmers. However, the response of maize to fertilizer depends on factors such as soil fertility, maize variety and the type of fertilizer used. Although experimental studies provide information about crop responses under particular conditions, they may not adequately explain the fertilizer practices of farmers, the factors influencing their application decisions or their experiences with maize production on their own farms.

Gwagwalada Area Council is located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), within the Guinea savanna ecological zone, where small-scale farmers cultivate maize mainly during the rainy season. Understanding the quantity of NPK fertilizer applied by these farmers and their experiences with different application rates is important for identifying their current practices and challenges. Therefore, this study uses a structured questionnaire to examine NPK fertilizer application rates among maize farmers in Gwagwalada Area Council and assess their perceptions of the relationship between fertilizer application rates, maize growth and yield.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Maize farmers in Gwagwalada Area Council apply NPK fertilizer at different rates. However, their decisions about the quantity to use are often influenced by fertilizer prices, availability and personal farming experience rather than soil-test results or specific fertilizer recommendations. Research conducted in the Nigerian savanna has shown that increasing NPK fertilizer rates can improve maize yield (Muhammad et al., 2024). Ederigbe et al. (2024) also reported that the conventional farmers' application rate of 150 kg/ha was lower than the higher fertilizer rate used in their experiment. Despite these findings, there is limited information about the actual quantities of NPK fertilizer applied by maize farmers in Gwagwalada and how they assess the results of their fertilizer practices.

The studies considered in this research were conducted in locations such as Samaru and Minna, under different experimental and farming conditions (Ederigbe et al., 2024; Muhammad et al., 2024). The literature reviewed for this study did not identify a specific survey examining NPK fertilizer application rates and farmers' perceptions of their effects among maize farmers in Gwagwalada Area Council. Since soil conditions, rainfall patterns and farming practices vary across locations, findings from other areas may not fully represent the experiences of farmers in Gwagwalada.

This situation creates a need for reliable local information about farmers' fertilizer application practices. Some farmers may apply insufficient quantities of NPK fertilizer, which they may associate with poor crop performance and low yields. Others may spend more money on fertilizer than necessary without knowing whether the additional quantity provides better results. Agricultural extension officers may also find it difficult to provide appropriate advice without information about the fertilizer practices and challenges of farmers in the area.

It is against this background that the study examines the NPK fertilizer application rates used by maize farmers in Gwagwalada Area Council, their perceptions of the effects on maize growth and yield, and the challenges they encounter in applying fertilizer.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study was to examine NPK fertilizer application rates and farmers' perceptions of their relationship with maize growth and yield in Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory.

The specific objectives were to:

(i) describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, including age, sex, educational level, farming experience, farm size and source of labour.

(ii) identify the NPK fertilizer application rates and methods currently used by the respondents in maize production.

(iii) examine the respondents' perceptions of the relationship between different NPK fertilizer application rates and the growth of maize.

(iv) examine the respondents' perceptions of the relationship between different NPK fertilizer application rates and the yield of maize.

(v) identify the challenges faced by the respondents in using different NPK fertilizer application rates and the measures they recommend for improving fertilizer use.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions guided the study:

(i) What are the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents?

(ii) What NPK fertilizer application rates and methods are used by the respondents in maize production?

(iii) How do the respondents perceive the relationship between different NPK fertilizer application rates and maize growth?

(iv) How do the respondents perceive the relationship between different NPK fertilizer application rates and maize yield?

(v) What challenges do the respondents encounter when applying different NPK fertilizer rates, and what measures do they suggest for improvement?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance:

H01: There is no significant relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and their NPK fertilizer application rates.

H02: There is no significant difference in the perceived growth performance of maize among respondents who use different NPK fertilizer application rates.

H03: There is no significant difference in the perceived yield performance of maize among respondents who use different NPK fertilizer application rates.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will provide maize farmers in Gwagwalada Area Council with information about the NPK fertilizer application practices of other farmers in their area and the application rates they associate with better maize growth and yield. This information may help farmers review their existing fertilizer practices and make more informed decisions about fertilizer use.

Agricultural extension officers may also benefit from the findings because the study will provide information about farmers' fertilizer practices, experiences and challenges. Such information may assist them in developing relevant extension messages and providing practical guidance to maize farmers. Fertilizer dealers and other agricultural input suppliers may equally benefit from a better understanding of farmers' fertilizer requirements and the difficulties affecting their purchasing and application decisions.

Furthermore, the study will contribute to existing literature on maize production and fertilizer management in the Guinea savanna region of Nigeria. It may also serve as a reference for students and researchers interested in fertilizer application practices and maize production.

1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study focuses on maize farmers in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. It specifically examines NPK fertilizer application rates and covers the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, their fertilizer application practices, their perceptions of the relationship between fertilizer rates and maize growth and yield, and the challenges they encounter when using NPK fertilizer.

The study is based on information collected through a structured questionnaire. It does not involve laboratory analysis of soil samples or controlled field experiments to measure the actual effects of different fertilizer rates on maize yield.

Some limitations may affect the study. First, the information provided by respondents may depend on their ability to remember the quantities of fertilizer they used during previous farming seasons. Second, some farmers may use local measurements, such as cups, containers or bags, which may be difficult to convert accurately into standard application rates. Third, the number of farmers available and willing to participate may limit the coverage of the study.

Since the research relies mainly on farmers' reported experiences and perceptions rather than direct field measurements, the findings should be interpreted within this context. Care should also be taken when applying the findings to maize farmers in other locations with different soil, climatic and farming conditions.

1.8 Definition of Terms

NPK Fertilizer: A compound fertilizer containing three major plant nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). An example is NPK 15:15:15.

Application Rate: The quantity of fertilizer applied to a particular area of farmland or to an individual plant.

Growth: The physical development of maize plants, including plant height, number of leaves and general plant vigour, as observed and reported by farmers.

Yield: The quantity of maize grain harvested from a particular area of farmland.

Area Council: An administrative local government unit within the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.

Questionnaire: A structured set of written questions designed to obtain information from respondents for research purposes.

REFERENCES

Ederigbe, R., Eleojo, S. F., Ezekiel-Adewoyin, D., & Osunde, A. O. (2024). The effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the production of maize in Minna, southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria. SVU-International Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 6(3), 121–128. https://doi.org/10.21608/svuijas.2024.287749.1367

Muhammad, A., Mani, H., Ibrahim, R., Bugaje, S., Dauda, H., Saleh, M. H., Mahmoud, B. A., & Dalhat, F. D. (2024). Performance of three maize varieties as influenced by NPK fertilizer rates and intra-row spacings at Samaru, northern Guinea savanna, Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 8(6), 87–90. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2024-0806-2743

Ngonadi, E. N., Uko, I., & Okonkwo, N. J. (2023). Profitability of selected weed control methods in maize (Zea mays L. Moench) production at Igbariam in three successive months. International Journal of Agriculture, Food and Biodiversity, 2(1), 37–42. https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/ijafab/article/download/2799/2262/6729