Abstract

Author:
Makhaga, N.Sath, Sindesi O.A, Odhiambo J.J.O

Doi: 10.26480/jwbm.01.2026.50.53

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

This study assessed the maize biomass yield and grain responses to different N and P levels at the University of Venda, Vhembe district, Limpopo province. The study was a 2×2 factorial, laid out in a completely randomised block design with 3 replications. N was applied at two levels: NO = 0 kg ha¹ and N * 1 = 75 kg ha¹, while P was applied at P = 0 kg ha¹ and 30 kg ha¹. For N, limestone ammonium nitrate (LAN 28% N) was used, while single super phosphate (SSP 10.5% P) was used for P. The results showed that both maize biomass and grain yield were significantly higher in the second growing season compared to the first, due to the alignment with high rainfall months. Combined N and P application consistently resulted in higher biomass and grain yields compared to standalone treatments or the control in both seasons. Specifically, grain yields were improved by the synergistic effect of N and P, although N-only applications resulted in slightly higher yields than P-only applications, indicating that N is the primary limiting nutrient in the study area. While P-only treatments were often limited by energy transfer inefficiencies, the balanced application of both nutrients optimised resource accumulation and cell division. The study concludes that strategic, balanced fertilisation is essential for improving maize productivity and food security for resource-poor smallholder farmers operating in nutrient-poor, rain-dependent environments.