Effect of Double Planting Density and Smaller Fertilization Rates on Grain Yield of Quality Protein Maize in a Clay-Sandysoil in Mvuazi ()
1. Introduction
Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important food and food crop in the world. It is the first most cultivated cereal in the world, followed by wheat and rice. Thus, its production is the highest of all cereals worldwide. Native to Central and Latin America, maize is currently grown successfully in temperate, tropical and subtropical regions. Fifty years ago, maize was the third most important food crop after cassava and plantain. Currently maize is the second most important food crop after cassava in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) [1]. It is the main cereal and has gained importance in recent years. In Kinshasa, for example, the annual consumption (kg/head) of maize grain increased from 2.84 kg in 1975 to 6.68 kg in 2000, an increase of 235% [2].
In the 1950s, world maize production expanded significantly. Forecasts for the coming years still predict a sharp increase in this production, due in particular to the diversification of uses to which maize grains are destined with 200 million tons produced in 1961. World maize production reached about 712 Mt. in 2005 [3]. Africa contributed 65.7 million tons or 7.2% of a total of 885.3 million metric tons of maize worldwide.
Africa’s low contribution to maize production is mainly due to the low average yield per unit area, lack of scientific knowledge and adequate practices [4] and low fertilizer use [5].
In the DRC, yields vary from one region to another, but the national average is 0.8 to 1 t/ha. These yields are very low compared with countries such as Italy (9530 kg/ha), Canada (6630 kg/ha), China (4570 kg/ha) and Argentina (5650 kg/ha) [6]. Most western soils in DRC have low organic matter content, low cation exchange capacities (CEC) and depleted plant nutrients resulting in poor crop yields [5].
To increase yield, it is important to apply good cultural practices [7]. Two important practices for increasing yield are improved cropping practices and fertilizer input [8]. Plant density is one of the most important cultural practices determining grain yield [9]. Other studies have shown that seeding density is a key factor in achieving high yield [10] [11]. Several studies have shown the importance of taking seeding and fertilization density into account in order to increase maize productivity [8] [12] [13] [14]. Carlone and Rinsall [15] found that each variety requires specific planting densities and fertilizer doses to achieve a high yield. Shrestha et al., [16] demonstrated that the key component for a high yield of corn is nitrogen fertilizer application. This amount of nitrogen applied mainly depends to a large extent on the plant density of the plants/unit of cultivated land area. They furthermore found that higher grain yield can be achieved at an optimal high plant population with enough nutrient specially nitrogen application. Sharma and Gupta [17] reported that under low plant densities, smaller nitrogen rates produced maximum grain yield (100 kg∙N/ha for 40 and 50 thousands plants/ha) while under higher plant densities only maximum amount of nitrogen (200 kg∙N/ha for 60 and 70 thousands plants/ha) produced maximum yield. A positive interaction between nitrogen and plant density was found and highest yields were recorded with plant densities of 60,000 and 75,000 plants/ha and N rate of 100 - 200 kg/ha. High plant density is also needed to obtain high yield in maize [18]. For the past several decades, grain yield improvement of maize mainly depended upon enhanced tolerance to increased plant density [19] [20] [21] [22]. The yield gain can be attributed mainly to variety improvement and cropping technique innovations, such as increases in plant density and fertilizer application [23]. Cardwell reported that increased plant density contributed up to 21% of the gain in maize yield in Minnesota from 1930 to 1970. Wu [24] stated that fertilizer inputs contributed 50% of the gain in maize yield in China during the period 1985-1994. Thus, the yield superiority of newer over older varieties is attributed to their productivity improvement and their better adaptation to changes in cropping techniques, such as dense cropping and nitrogen (N) fertilization [21] [25]. A gradual increase in plant density has been a vital contributor to Maize yield enhancement worldwide [26] [27] [28]. In addition, [29] indicated that plant populations have increased dramatically in corn production over the past 40 years. To date, Maize producers in Mvuazi are still using low planting densities, varying from 40,000 plants∙ha−1 (very common) to 53,333 plants∙ha−1 (the customary high utilized maize plant density in this area). This limits the potential maize productivity. Even though the 53,333 plants∙ha−1 density has proved its yield performance over the one of 40,000 plants∙ha−1, it is still low when compared to those utilized worldwide. Increasing the planting density from 53,333 plants∙ha−1 to 106,666 plants∙ha−1 (double planting density) could to a certain extent improve maize producer’s productivity. This double planting density has not been tested so far in this area. Furthermore, high planting densities need more fertilizers to compensate competition between thick plants. In fact, the yield and N use efficiency (NUE) decrease when maize is planted at a lower density because the plants grow to maturity without using all of the available soil N [30]. However, plants compete for N at a higher density with decreasing the amount of N available per plant [31]. However, fertilizers are not always reasonably priced and then not affordable. The use of smaller fertilization rates with localized placement could minimize fertilizers waste and rationalize their use for poor farmers. In fact, when the recommended rates (350 kg NPK 17-17-17 and 120 kg urea 46%) are utilized anyhow, in particular the over-application of N fertilizer, it results in reduced N use efficiency in maize production.
The objective of this study was to assess the agronomic performance of a Quality Protein MaizeMudishi-1 variety in a clay-sandy soil underthedouble planting density and smaller mineral fertilization rates with localized placement in Mvuazi.
2. Materials and Method
2.1. Experimental Site, Soil Description and Characterization
This study was conducted at the Mvuazi Research Station during the 2017-2018 cropping season. Mvuazi is in the Kongo Central province of DRC with longitude 14˚54'E, latitude 5˚21'S and altitude 470 m. The Mvuazi soil belongs to the Sudano-Guinean climate zone of the AW4 type [32]. This soil is characterized by low organic matter content and low water holding capacity resulting in low nitrogen availability [5]. Mean annual temperatures vary between 24˚C and 30˚C with rainfall ranging from 800 to 1200 mm. The climatic data recorded during the experimental period are presented in Table 1 while the selected chemical and physical parameters for soils at experimental site are presented in Table 2.
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Table 1. Monthly climatic data during the trial period in Mvuazi.
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Table 2. Selected chemical and physical parameters for soils at experimental site.
2.2. Plant Material
In this study, seeds of the quality protein maize variety, Mudishi-1 were used. Mudishi-1 variety developed by INERA Gandajika’s National maize Program is the most cultivated in the savannah of southwestern of DRC. It is preferred for its yield potential of 4 to 6 t/ha [33] and its high protein quality [34].
2.3. Experimental Design
The trial was carried out since 7th November 2017. A split-plot design with three replicates was used. Four fertilizers rates (main plots) and three planting densities (secondary plots) were set as follows:
Planting densities
1 m × 1 m with four grains per hill, or 40,000 plants∙ha−1 (farmer’s density)
0.75 m × 0.50 m with 2 grains per hill, or 53,333 plant∙ha−1
0.75 m × 0.25 m with 2 grains per hill, or 106,666 plants∙ha−1 (double planting density)
Fertilizers rates
D1: 0 kg NPK + 0 kg Urea
D2: 100 kg NPK + 60 kg Urea
D3: 150 kg NPK + 90 kg urea
D4: 300 kg NPK + 120 kg Urea
Before planting, the land was ploughed and harrowed and then partitioned into experimental units sized at 3 m × 5 m. Mineral fertilizer NPK (12-24-12) was applied at planting as basal application while urea (46%) was applied in two halves at 15 and 30 days after sowing as top dressing application. The fertilization method used was the application of smaller rates of the required amounts with localized placement as shown in Figure 1. Three manual weedings were done at 2, 4 and 10 weeks after sowing to clean the trial.
2.4. Data Collection
The following data were collected from the two middle rows of each plot: emergence rate, collar diameter, plant height, plant aspect, days to 50% flowering (pollen), harvest rate, ear length, ear diameter, ear aspect and yield. The emergence rate was determined by the ratio of number of emerged plants/number of
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Figure 1. Micro dosing and localized placement method used during seeding.
seeds sown by 100. Collar diameter was measured with calipers. Plants height was measured using a measuring tape. Days to 50% flowering were determined by the number of days from the sowing date to the tassels emergence. Plant aspect was measured on the basis of a ratings 1 to 5 (1 = excellent, 2 = very good, 3 = good, 4 = fair and 5 = poor). Harvest rate was calculated on the basis of the number of harvested plants/number of plants in the plot. Ears diameter and ear length were measured with calipers and measuring tape respectively. Ear aspect was measured on the basis of a ratings 1 to 5 (1 = Excellent, 2 = Very Good, 3 = Good, 4 = Fairly Good, 5 = Not Good). Grain yield per plot was determined at 14% moisture content from which grain yield per ha was estimated [34].
2.5. Statistical Analyzes
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) using linear model = aov(Y ~ trait sec × trait princ + Error (Repetition/trait princ)) of R packages with the LSD test were used to determine differences between treatments. In addition, a principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to detect the similarities between the factors according to the variables that characterize them.
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Effects of Seeding Densities and Smaller Mineral Fertilizer Rates on MUDISHI 1 Growth Parameters
According to the applied fertilizer rates, the results showed that the emergence rate decreases with the addition of fertilizer. The average vegetative performance is presented in Table 3. The analysis of variance showed that only two vegetative parameters were influenced by the fertilizer rate: the rates of emergence and collar diameter. Indeed, the best performing emergence rate was obtained with the high density (106,666 plants∙ha−1) at D3 while the biggest collar diameter was recorded at all densities at D4. However, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed for the other vegetative parameters. This supports [35] and [12] who reported that seeding density is less affecting the vegetative cycle of maize. This explains the lack of difference of days to flowering. Similar results were obtained by [36] in a study aimed to evaluate the effects of seeding density.
3.2. Effects of Planting Density and Smaller Mineral Fertilizer Rates on MUDISHI-1 Yield Parameters
The average yield parameters performances are summarized in Table 4. Data analysis showed that planting densities influenced the yield and the harvest rate. However the fertilizer rates influenced all yield parameters. Higher yields were obtained with the double planting density when using D4 and D3 rates according to [18]. Indeed, the double planting density resulted in higher grain yield (6.05 t∙ha−1) followed by the one of 53,333 plants∙ha−1 (4.94 t∙ha−1) while the farmer’s planting density got the lowest yield (3.60 t∙ha−1) when D4 was applied. The double planting density highest yield (6.05 t∙ha−1) obtained during this study
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Table 3. Average vegetative performance of Mudishi-1 in Mvuazi conditions.
Signif. codes: 0 “***” 0.001 “**” 0.01 “*” 0.05 “.” 0.1 “ ” 1. The different letters indicate significant differences and the same letters, non-significant differences after comparison of means by the LSD test (p < 0.05).
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Table 4. Average yield components performance of MUDISHI-1 in Mvuazi conditions.
Signif. codes: 0 “***” 0.001 “**” 0.01 “*” 0.05 “.” 0.1 “ ” 1. The different letters indicate significant differences and the same letters, non-significant differences after comparison of means by the LSD test (p < 0.05).
is equivalent to that obtained in forest soil without fertilizers in Lomami province under farmers’ conditions (40,000 plants∙ha−1). In this soil type, the double planting density could allow higher yields for farmers if properly used. Under D3 dose, the double planting density once more recorded the highest yield (5.65 t∙ha−1), which the 53,333 plants∙ha−1 seeding density have not even reached under D4. At the same rate (D3), the two others got similar yields (3.74 and 3.68 t∙ha−1 respectively for 53,333 and 40,000, plants∙ha−1). This means, higher planting densities like the double planting density is a high potential yield practice compared with the lower densities when the applied fertilizers dose is adequate. This supports [37] who found that the number of plants per unit area is the most important component of yield because if there are not enough plants, a high number of ears per unit area and yield cannot be expected. [38] estimated that the high yield of maize on high density plots is generally due to the high number of ears per row and the high number of rows of seeds per ear. In addition, despite competition between plants on high density plots [39] and nutrient competition [40], the yield obtained is the sum of individual productions. The high yield obtained on high density plots is thus justified by the optimization of the use of the soil and environmental resources by the crop. However, under D2 all yields were similar for all planting densities. The same trend was observed for D1 but with the lowest yields recorded similarly to [4] results. This means that when fertilizers are not applied at all, low planting density yields better. It is then advisable to go for it in this case as higher planting densities are time consuming, more laborious and backbreaking at holes digging and planting time.
3.3. Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
Among twelve dimensions generated by the PCA, only the first four dimensions had an eigenvalue greater than one (Table 5).
Figure 2 shows the contribution of 9 variables to the first and second axes of the principal component analysis (47.39% of the total variation). Ear length, ear diameter, plant height, harvest percentage, collar diameter, and yield have strong and positive contributions to Dim1. These variables also have a strong correlation between them. These contributions are also stronger but negative for the ears aspect on Dim1. On the other hand, yield, emergence rate, flowering, plant aspect are the variables having a higher contribution on Dim2. The Dim2 thus represents production better because all the variables relating to this phase of the life cycle measured in this study have the greatest contributions on this axis. Similarly, the Dim1 better represents the parameters of the growth.
Based on the contributions of the variables on Dim1 (Figure 2), it seems that D1 leads to low values of growth and low, according to [4] and [5]. On the other hand, the double dose (D4) and single dose and half (D3), lead to high values of yield and growth parameters [23]. However D2 leads to low values of yield and high values of growth. The high density (0.75 m × 0.25 m with 2 grains/hill) with a high contribution in Dim3 leads to high values of yields.
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Figure 2. PCA Individuals factor map and variables factors map: yield, emergence rate, ear aspect, collar diameter, ear diameter, ear length, flowering day, harvest rate, plant appearance and plant height.
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Table 5. Eigenvalues, variance percentage change, and percentage of cumulative changes.
4. Conclusion
This study is a contribution to the improvement of maize production, in a context where mineral fertilizers are high-priced and proved improved cultural practices unused despite their handiness. Four mineral fertilizers doses (D1, D2, D3 and D4) and three seeding densities (40,000, 53,333 and 106,666 plants∙t∙ha−1) were assessed in order to contribute to the food security, through the intensification of maize cultivation for the populations living in Mvuazi agricultural zone. The results obtained showed that the seeding density did not affect most of the studied parameters, except collar diameter and yield. The double planting density (106,666 plants∙ha−1) resulted in higher grain yield (6.05 t∙ha−1) and 5.65 t∙ha−1 when the highest fertilizer rates (D4 and D3 respectively) are applied. It out-yielded the farmer’s planting density by 40% and 36% respectively. Under D1 (no fertilizers application), yields obtained were the lowest but similar regardless of planting densities. In conclusion, the double planting density and the application of D3 and D4 micro doses combined with localized placement have been found adequate and more performing and hence recommendable for intensification of maize cultivation in Mvuazi. In addition, in a situation where fertilizers are not applied, it is advisable to go for lower planting density (farmer’s seeding density) as manual higher planting densities are time consuming, more laborious and backbreaking at holes digging and planting time.