IAR&T educates maize farmers on organic, inorganic fertiliser application

THE Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), has told farmers that the combination of organic and inorganic fertiliser use is highly effective in getting good yields.

A soil scientist in charge of land management for optimum and sustainable land use at IAR&T, Dr Olufunmilayo Ande, told farmers during a farmers field day which was held at the institute, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, last Thurday.

She noted that the aim of the project is to showcase a technology to maize farmers called integrated soil fertility management. Ande, hinted that the integrated soil fertility management is not just applying fertiliser to the soil but a combine use of fertilisers.

“You apply fertiliser in such a way that it will feed the crop and take care of the soil. Initially, people apply fertiliser to feed the crop and they neglect the soil and the soil continue to decline to the extent that you are applying organic fertiliser and the yield is not getting to the genetic potentials.

“From our discovery, we realise that we need integrated soil fertility management which involves the use of organic fertiliser, inorganic fertiliser and sound agronomic practices. Example of sound agronomic practice is that apply the fertiliser at the right time like three weeks after planting and before about to tassel so that you can use it.” She said.

She also described weeding at the right time as one of the important aspects of sound agronomic practices including control of pests and diseases. “When you combine all these together that is when you can have optimum yield and also sustainable land use management.” Ande concluded.

Also speaking during the event, Head, South-West Farming System, Research and Extension Programme, IAR&T, Professor Lucia Ogunsumi, said maize can be a profitable venture if properly managed.

She urged farmers to consider using the combination of organic and inorganic fertilisers in order to record a good yield.