Simulation of major soil nutrients requirement for maize production using the QUEFTS model in the Northern region of Ghana

Abstract

Fertilizer requirement identification at specified Districts is necessary to increase applied fertilizers efficiency. The aim of this study was to estimate promising nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) nutrients requirements for maize production in 13 Districts of the Northern region, Ghana, using the Quantitative Evaluation of fertility of tropical soils (QUEFTS) model. Soil samples were collected from 104 locations and analysed for N, P and K contents. The QUEFTS model was calibrated using the required maize cultivation data from farmers fields to obtain the necessary input parameters. The model predicted linear increase in maize grain yield if nutrients are recovered in balanced amounts of 0.49 kg kg^-1 N, 0.33 kg kg^-1 P and 0.67 kg kg^-1 K with internal efficiencies of 35 kg N kg^-1 and 77 kg N kg^-1, 145 kg P kg^-1 and 509 kg P kg^-1, and 32 kg K kg^-1 and 114 kg K kg^-1 to obtain about 60 “ 70 % of the potential maximum yield. Maize grain yield showed a good correlation with N (92%), P (92%) and K (71%). Results from the study could be used to enhance soil fertility and maize crop yields in the study area.