Foliar and granular fertilizer application on the growth and yield performance of maize. A cross-sectional study.

Authors

  • Devunary Tumuhereze Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University Author
  • Mr. Benard Mugisha Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University Author
  • Assoc. Prof. Sylvester Katuromunda Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64792/5q6vts77

Keywords:

Granular fertilizer, Foliar fertilizer, Maize growth, Grain yield, Nutrient management, Fertilizer application

Abstract

Background

The study aimed to investigate the effect of foliar and granular fertilizer application on the growth and yield performance of maize.

 Methodology

A field experiment was conducted in Hapuuyo Sub-county, Kyegegwa District, Uganda, during the 2025B and 2026A seasons. A Randomized Complete Block Design with 10 fertilizer treatments and three replications was used. DK 7:7:7 maize was subjected to granular, foliar, combined, and control treatments. Growth and yield parameters were measured from randomly selected plants. Data were analysed using RCBD ANOVA, with Tukey’s HSD test at 5% significance. Normality and homogeneity assumptions were assessed using Shapiro-Wilk and Levene’s tests.

 Results

Of 200 maize farmers surveyed, 59.0% were male, and 74.5% had grown maize for more than 10 years. The experimental soil was acidic (pH 5.6), with low organic carbon (8.9 g/kg), nitrogen, and phosphorus, but adequate potassium and 15.2% moisture. Fertilizer treatments significantly affected stem height to cob (p=0.011), plant height to tassel (p<0.0001), leaf area index (p<0.0001), biomass (p<0.0001), and grain yield (p<0.0001), but not number of leaves (p=0.131), cobs per plant (p=0.913), or grain rows per cob (p=0.159). Plant height ranged from 170.23–199.8 cm, while grain yield ranged from 1,893–3,790 kg/ha. T10 recorded the highest yield (3,790 kg/ha), followed by T9 (3,762 kg/ha), whereas the control recorded the lowest.

 

Conclusion

 Fertilizer application significantly influenced plant height, leaf area index, biomass, and yield, but not leaves, cobs per plant, or grain rows.

 

Recommendation

 Community and parish demonstration plots should provide practical evidence on fertilizer types, rates, and application methods.

Author Biographies

  • Devunary Tumuhereze, Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University

    a student pursuing a Master of Science degree in agronomy at Bishop Stuart University

  • Mr. Benard Mugisha, Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University

    research supervisor at Bishop Stuart University.

  • Assoc. Prof. Sylvester Katuromunda, Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Bishop Stuart University

    research supervisor at Bishop Stuart University.

     

References

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Published

2026-10-02

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 4 (2026): October 2026 Issue

Section

Environmental and Agricultural Sciences

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Devunary Tumuhereze, Mr. Benard Mugisha, Assoc. Prof. Katuromunda Sylvester (Author)

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How to Cite

Foliar and granular fertilizer application on the growth and yield performance of maize. A cross-sectional study. (2026). East African Journal of Research and Innovation, 2(4), 11. https://doi.org/10.64792/5q6vts77

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