Assessing the effects of fertilizer formulations on the production of Zea mays L. for sustainable agriculture in Burkina Faso

Abstract Maize, Zea mays L., is a crop of high socio-economic value to people worldwide. However, low levels of soil fertility are causing yields to fall and production to plummet. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of various types of fertilizer on maize productivity in Burkina Faso. It was conducted at the experimental site of the Boulgou Provincial Department of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Fisheries. A maize variety (SR21) was used and the trial was set up in a completely randomized block design with 5 replications. Each block consists of 6 treatments: T0 or control without input; T1: 200 kg/ha NPK (14 N-23P-14 K) + 150 kg/ha Urea (46 N-0P-0 K); T2: 200 kg/ha NPK (14 N-23P-14 K) + 150 kg/ha Urea (46 N-0P-0 K); T3:200 kg/ha NPK (14 N-18P-18 K) + 150 kg/ha Urea (46 N-0P-0 K); T4: 200 kg/ha NPK (23 N-10P-5 K) + 150 kg/ha Urea (46 N-0P-0 K) and T5: fertile soil organic fertilizer (3 N-4P-2 K + 4CaO-2MgO) at 10 t/ha. The effectiveness of the fertilizers was assessed by observing physiological, agronomic and yield parameters. The results indicate that physiological, agronomic and yield parameters vary significantly depending on the fertiliser formulation ( p < 0.05). Of the different fertilizer formulations used, the highest grain yields (5932.37 kg/ha) and straw (6305 kg/ha) were observed with organic compost fertile soil (T5). Given these results, fertile soil organic compost could be recommended as a reference fertilizer for maize production. The application of this organic fertilizer would allow one to reconcile the intensification of maize production with the sustainable management of agroecosystems.