Estimating Partial Nutrient Balance using Nutmon Model in Irrigated Rice-based Farms of the Nigerian Dry Savanna

Abstract

Soil fertility decline coupled with the failure to conduct soil analysis by the farmers while generating fertilizer recommendations is among the factors that led to low yield especially in the Dry Savanna of Nigeria which is characterized by a dramatic increase in population. In this study, the performance of the soils at Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State that was under irrigation farming was estimated using the NUTMON model. This was part of the strategies for boosting agricultural production and to have adequate and sustainable rural development. The experimental findings of this study showed obviously that most of the farms in the research area received a sufficient amount of fertilizer during the growing season despite the lower fertility status of the soils. Even with the continuous productivity within crop-based cropping unit, highly positive balance was obtained for N and slightly for P and K. The result as obtained from the data processing module of the NUTMON model revealed positive partial balances in kg/ha as 220.7, 26.3 and 47.8 for farms 1, 2, and 3 respectively, with the highest balance at farm 2 and the lowest at farm 3, despite the higher quantity of fertilizer (IN 1) that was applied to farm 1 of about 342 kg of Nitrogen. However, the N, P, and K were exported to the farm through the harvested grains and crop residues (OUT 1) and crop residues (OUT 2) considering partial balance. On the other hand, Phosphorus partial balance was also positive as a result revealed 55.0, 13.6 and 16.9kg/ha of Phosphorus for farms 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The K balances for farms 1, 2 and 3 in kg/ha as 68.8, 13.6 and 23.7 respectively which means farm 1 has the highest balance and farm 3 has the lowest. The result showed that the NUTMON model was a valuable tool for estimating nutrient balance and maintaining soil fertility in the study area. Reviewing fertilizer recommendation and its adherence by the farmers was recommended to have an appreciable yield in the study area.