TITLE:
Influence of NPK (Granule and Briquette) + Urea Fertilizers on Selected Soil Properties, Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea Mays L.)
AUTHORS:
Carlos Mikeson Kofoya, Margaret Esi Esilfie, Emmanuel Kwesi Asiedu, Bennett Osei, Kofi Amponsah, William Atakora, Derrick Kumah-Amenudzi, Cynthia Olerckie Nongorh, Grace Nartey
KEYWORDS:
Inorganic Fertilizer, NPK Briquette, Granule Fertilizers, Maize, Yield
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.10,
October
27,
2025
ABSTRACT: Two field studies were conducted simultaneously at two locations in Atebubu (Bono East region) and Adomase (Bono region) of Ghana during the 2022 major crop growing seasons to determine the effect of NPK (Granule and Briquette) + Urea fertilizers on selected soil properties, growth and yield of maize. The experimental design used was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The treatment evaluated were; I Control with no amendment, II Granule NPK + Urea at 200 kg/ha, III Granule NPK + Zn + Urea at 133.2 kg/ha, IV Granule NPK + Zn + Urea at 120.2 kg/ha, V Granule NPK + Urea at 152 kg/ha, VI Briquette NPK + Urea at 115.2 kg/ha, VII Briquette NPK + Urea at 57.6 kg/ha, and VIII Briquette NPK + Urea at 100 kg/ha. The basal amendments (NPK granule and briquette) were applied three weeks after sowing (3 WAS) and the top dressing (Urea granule and briquette) at seven weeks after sowing (7 WAS). The results of the study demonstrated no significant differences among treatments for the soil chemical properties such as pH, total nutrients (N, P, K, B, Zn, Fe, Cu, CEC, C/N ratio), and extractable nutrients (P, K, Ca, B, Mn) and soil organic carbon content. There were significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) among treatments with leaf chlorophyll content, in which (Granule NPK + Urea at 200 kg/ha) recorded the highest values of 51.4 SPAD. Again, Granule NPK + Urea at 200 kg/ha recorded the highest significant value in maize leaf area. The influence of the treatments significantly increased 100 seed weight, in treatments with fertilizer amendment. The Grain yield recorded no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) among treatments. Briquette NPK + Urea at 115.2 kg/ha, as well as Briquette NPK + Urea at 100 kg/ha have performed in equal measures with Granule NPK + Urea fertilizers in the following parameters: biomass at harvest, 100 seed weight, leaf area, and cob weight. In conclusion, the Briquette NPK + Urea fertilizers exerted as many similar effects on soil properties and on growth and yield of maize as the commonly used granule fertilizers, even though the briquette fertilizers were applied at lower rates than the granule fertilizers. Briquette fertilizers are promising and could be an alternate N source to granule fertilizers.