Abstract
The southern highlands zone of Tanzania is the one of the most potential area for agriculture contributes up to 46% of the total country’s maize production. However, the rate of maize production tends to decrease with time due of poor agronomic practices. The aim of this study was to simulate the effect of nitrogen dose and plant spacing on grain yields from five selected maize varieties. Decision Support System for Agrotechnology transfer crop model was used for this purpose. Based on the agroecological zones, six sites were selected which includes Ihumbu farm, Mwazye and Nyera Estate Mbozi, Lupa Tinga Tinga, Santilya and Mbinga. Maize varieties H614, Kitumani Composite I, H511, H626 and H612; Spacing (90 × 30 cm and 60 × 30 cm) and nitrogen dose (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha) were simulated. It was found that only H614 (4610.9 kg/ha) and Kitumani Composite I (3998.7 kg/ha) maize varieties performed well at the spacing of 60 × 30 cm and up to the nitrogen dose of 150 kg/ha. Therefore the two maize varieties H614 and Kitumani Composite I could be recommended for cultivation at the spacing of 60 × 30 cm and nitrogen dose of 150 kg/ha for improving production of maize in southern highland of Tanzania.
Highlights
The objective of this study is to simulate the effect of nitrogen dose, spacing and suitability of varieties on increasing grain yield of maize grown in southern highland zone of Tanzania by application of Crop Environment Resource Synthesis (CERES)-maize model of decision support system for agro technology transfer (DSSAT)
The results of DSSAT simulated yield of maize obtained for six sites (Ihumbu farm, Mwazye and Nyera Estate Mbozi, Lupa Tinga Tinga, Santilya and Mbinga), five varieties (H614, Kitumani Composite I, H511, H626 and H612), five nitrogen doses (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N/ha) and three spacings (90 × 30 cm, 60 × 30 cm and 90 × 50 cm) are presented in Table 2 and discussed in the forthcoming paragraphs
A different maize variety has been found to vary in grain yielding with respect to nitrogen application and weather condition and soil type
Summary
The southern highlands zone of Tanzania contributes about 46% of national maize production and it accounts for nearly 90% of the maize purchased for the National Food Security Granary [2]. This zone comprises of four regions viz. Iringa, Mbeya, Rukwa, and Ruvuma. The fact that nitrogen has a good effect on plant productivity is universally accepted It has a pollutant effect on the environment when dissolved and leach down to ground water/aquifer zones when applied irrationally. The development of appropriate management practices can be achieved by employing crop models like DSSAT in simulation studies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
