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Efficient fertilizer use for increased crop production: The sub-humid Nigeria experience

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Abstract

The results of five years of collaborative field trials at Samaru, Nigeria on nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and potassium fertilizers showed that all these nutrients are needed in the soils.

While confirming the widespread deficiencies of N and P, the trials also showed that only moderate amounts of N and P are required to overcome these deficiencies and satisfy crop needs. Nitrogen fertilizers applied at rates of 80 kg/ha should be split applied for a more efficient utilization of the N. Partial acidulation of Togo phosphate rock at 50% produced a product which was agronomically as effective as commercial superphosphate. Preliminary results from nutrient interaction experiments suggest that efficiency of fertilizers can be improved by ensuring appropriate balance of nutrients applied to the soil.

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Uyovbisere, E.O., Lombim, G. Efficient fertilizer use for increased crop production: The sub-humid Nigeria experience. Fertilizer Research 29, 81–94 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01048991

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