Response of early maturing maize (Zea mays,L) variety to potassium and zinc fertilization in the Nigerian savanna

A three year field study was conducted at five locations in the Nigerian savanna to evaluate the response of early maturing maize variety to varying rates of K and Zn with a view to establishing the K and Zn requirements for maize production in this zone. Treatments consisted of 4 × 3 factorial combinations of 4 levels of K and 3 levels of Zn.Responses to K and Zn fertilization were sporadic and were obtained only in soils of the Southern Guinea savanna and in the soil formed on sedimentary sandstone. There seem to be no problem at present in soils of the Northern Guinea and Sudan savannas where leaching is less intense. It is inferred from this study that K and Zn deficiences are incipient in the high rainfall soils and in the sandstone derived soils. For these soils, 50 kg K/ha and 2–5 kg Zn/ha is suggested as adequate for an early maturing maize crop. Soil data showed that K and Zn responses can be expected when available K and Zn levels fall below 0.1 meq/100 g and 2 ppm respectively.