TITLE:
Yield Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Intra-Row Spacing and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application
AUTHORS:
Julius Yirzagla, Issah Alidu Abukari, Iddrisu Yahaya, Ophelia Asirifi Amoako, Joseph Adjebeng-Danquah, Issah Sugri, Peter Quandahor, Patrick Attamah, Joseph Kinansua Laary, Olivia Aguriboba Akanbelum, Abdul-Wahab M. Imoro, John Bokaligidi Lambon
KEYWORDS:
Intra-Row Spacing, Wang Dataa, Net Returns, Maize Production
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.6,
June
30,
2025
ABSTRACT: Intra-row spacing is a key factor affecting maize production and productivity, since it affects plant growth, resource utilization, and yield. The study was conducted during the 2023 and 2024 cropping seasons at the Manga station of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) in the Upper East Region of Ghana to assess the effect of N rate and intra-row spacing on maize growth, development, and yield. The treatments consisted of four nitrogen rates (0 kg N/ha, 60 kg N/ha, 90 kg N/ha, and 120 kg N/ha) and three intra-row spacings (20, 30, and 40 cm) in a split-plot design with three replications. The recommended inter-row spacing of 75 cm for maize in the study area was maintained. The Wang dataa maize variety was used for the experiment. In both cropping seasons, the various treatments had a significant impact on the yield and yield components of maize. Plots that received 90 and 120 kg N/ha recorded relatively higher grain yield and yield components than the control (0 kg N/ha). The highest yield and yield components were recorded under 90 kg N/ha and 120 kg N/ha, with grain yields at these rates being statistically similar. An intra-row spacing of 40 cm recorded the highest grain yields, statistically higher than those recorded under other intra-row spacing. The trend in partial budget analysis was consistent across both seasons, with the highest-yielding treatments (90 kg N/ha and 40 cm) recording the highest net benefit, while the control (0 kg N/ha) ranked last. The nitrogen application rate of 90 kg N/ha and intra-row spacing of 40 cm are thus recommended for optimum maize production and productivity in the study area.