Abstract:
Objective: Currently, Mozambique lags behind all other Southern
and Eastern African countries in maize productivity. Soil
nutrient depletion resulting in high soil acidity has been
identified as a main cause of the declining crop yields. Maize
yield in small scale farming systems in Beira Corridor can be
increased by optimum utilization of mineral fertilizers and
locally available organic resources through combined
incorporation of mineral fertilizers and cattle manure. This study
will assess the efficiency of manure and mineral fertilizers on
maize yield in acidic soils of Nhamatanda and Barue districts,
central region of Mozambique. The objectives are to (1)
determine the effect of combined cattle manure and mineral
fertilizers (CAN, TSP and DAP) on soil structure and maize
yield; (2) to determine optimum rate of manure-inorganic
fertilizer interactions for increased fertilizer use efficiency; and (3) to assess the profitability of combined application of cattle
manure and mineral fertilizers for small scale farmers.
Methodology: The experiment consists of combination of four
types of inorganic fertilizers and three levels of cattle manure.
The total treatments to be tested are twelve and will be arranged
in RCBD with four replications. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
will be used for biophysical data analysis. Treatment means will
be compared at probability p=0.05 using Fischer’s LSD and
regression will be used to estimate the interaction between
manure and inorganic fertilizers.
Application of expected results: The study will: (i) contribute to
identifying and recommending the sustainable fertilizer
combination options that suit the study areas; (ii), assist in the
progress of the governmental Action Plan for Food Production
specifically in the process of cattle allocation to the small-scale
farmers in the central region, and (iii) assist extension services
providers to design effective and efficient programs and projects.
