Response of maize (Zea mays L.) to foliar and soil applied fertilizers in the Semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana

This experiment was conducted in 2019 major cropping season in the Semi-deciduous forest Agro-ecological zone of Ghana to solve low maize yield and improve maize productivity and enhance farmer’s income using foliar and soil applied fertilizers as nutrient sources. Eight treatments (T) were used; T1= {N, P2O5, K2O (90-60-60) kg/ha} at 2 and 6 weeks after sowing (WAS); T2= {Poultry manure (4 t/ha)} at 2 weeks before sowing (WBS); T3= {Foliar fertilizer (4 L/ha)} at 2, 4 and 6 WAS; T4= {Poultry manure (2 t/ha)} at 2 WBS + {N, P2O5, K2O (45-30-30) kg/ha} at 2 and 6 WAS; T5= {N, P2O5, K2O (45-30-30) kg/ha} at 2 and 6 WAS + {Foliar fertilizer (2 L/ha)} at 4 WAS; T6= {Poultry manure (2 t/ha)} at 2 WBS + {Foliar fertilizer (2 L/ha)} at 2 and 6 WAS; T7= {Poultry manure (2 t/ha)} at 2 WBS + {N, P2O5, K2O (45-30-30) kg/ha} at 2 and 6 WAS + {Foliar fertilizer (2 L/ha)} at 4 WAS and T8= Control (No Fertilizer). The results showed that T7 performed better than T8 (Control) in terms of plant height, stem girth, cob length, 1000-grain weight and grain yield as well as economic net benefit. Key words: Semi-deciduous forest, agro-ecological zone, 1000-grain weight, economic benefit analysis, foliar fertilizer, integrated nutrient management.