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 FERTILIZER PRACTICES FOR CEREAL AND LEGUME CROP
IN NIGERIA

Chiezey, U,F.,' V. 0 . Chude and J. Y. Yayock

INTRODUCTION
Crop production depends on efficient utilization of solar energy, water and mineral nutrients.
While solar radiation and water may not limit crop production in Nigeria because of her loca­
tion (14° 14’ N), most Nigerian soils are deficient in many essential nutrients, hence the need
to apply fertilizers to correct the nutrient deficiencies.
Moreover, urbanisation, industrialization and population growth have reduced the amount of
cultivable land available. This has led to a reduction in the fallow period which was the tradi­
tional method of restoring fertility. Agriculture, has therefore, become somewhat intensive
and the only economic way of sustaining high crop production is to rely on fertilizers.
While it is possible to maintain soil fertility and increase crop production by using organic
materials, it is large scale use is restricted by availability, transportation and spreading of such
bulky materials and alternative uses. Therefore, the most practicable means of maintaining
soil fertility is reliance on inorganic fertilizers, whose consumption in the country rose from a
mere 603 metric tons in 1953 to 680,599 metric tons in 1987. Both the small and large scale
farmers have realised the importance of mineral fertilizers in crop production and the demand
of the input will continue to increase as more farmers adopt the use of fertilizers in crop produc­
tion. This paper attempts to highlight appropriate fertilizer practices — recommended rate,
time and methods of application of various fertilizers for optimum production of the major
cereals and legume crops grown in Nigeria.

MAJOR CEREALS AND LEGUMES

The major cereals grown in Nigeria are sorghum maize, millet rice and wheat, while the impor­
tant legume crops are groundnuts, cowpea and soyabean. The estimated total land area under
each crop is given in Table 1.
Table 1. Estimated total land area under different cereal and legume crops in Nigeria
Crop Land area ( ’000 ha)

Maize 3,000
Wheat 250
Rice 800
Sorghum 6,500
Millet 2,500
Cowpea 3,500
Groundnut 1,500
Soyabean 50

Total 21,100

Source: Fertilizer Use Committee, 1988

TYPES OF FERTILIZERS
A fertilizer is any material added to the soil to improve crop production. They may be organic
or inorganic. The Organic Fertilizers include: animal manure, farmyard manure, green manure,
crop residues, soyabean cake, cotton seed cake, fish animal tankagge and compost. Inorganic
Fertilizers are derived from mineral sources and the term ‘fertilizer’ has become synonymous
with inorganic fertilizers only. They are classifed into two main groups based on the number
of nutrients they supply.
They are single or straight fertilizers if they contain one major essential nutrient only e.g.
Urea (46% N), Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN, 26% N), ammonium sulphate (21% N), single
superphosphate (SSP, 18.5% P2 O5 ) muriate of potash (MOP, 60% K2 O).
Compound fertilizers contain mainly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in various combina­
tions. Examples of compound fertilizers are 15:15:15, 20:20:0, 12:12:17+2 MgO, 25:10:10.
Two of the newly introduced fertilizers, the 27:13:13 and 20:10:10 + 2S + Zn, are strictly not
compound fertilizers, but mixtures.

CROP FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS

The fertilizer needs of different crops tend to vary in both type and amount, while the nutrient
needs of some crops may be satisfied by nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, others may in
addition need other elements like sulphur and zinc. The objective of applying fertilizers to crops
is to increase production profitably. In order to achieve this, the optimum dose or the dose that
gives the highest profit on the investment must be Used. The general recommended rates of
fertilizers and that based on soil test values for the different crops are given in Tables 2.1 —2.7.

METHODS OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION

The way the fertilizer is placed in relation to the crop is important. The objective is to place the
fertilizer in such a way it can be easily taken up by the plant, but not too close to the plant as to
cause injury. Various methods of application include:
Broadcasting: Involves spreading the fertilizer as uniformly as possible over the field using hand
or machine. The fertilizers so applied should be incorporated into the soil to reduce losses by
volatilization or run-off.
Band Placement: This involves making a furrow on one or both sides of the seed or plant. The
fertilizer is then applied into the furrow and covered with soil. Though distance between 5 —
8 cm must be allowed between seed/plant and the fertilizer to avoid injury.

Hill Application: The fertilizer is dropped near the seed or plant and may or may not be covered
with soil. This practice is very popular with farmers.
Time of Fertilizer Application: Fertilizer should be available to the crop when it is needed.
The type of crop and nature of fertilizer determine the appropriate time of application.
Table 2.1. Fertilizer recommendation for maize open pollinated (Fertilizer Use Committee, 1988)

Table 2.1. Fertilizer Recommendation for Maize Open Pollinated

(Fertilizer Use Committee, 1988)

Agro-ecological Generalised Recommendation Based on Soil

Zone Recommendation Test Values
(nutrient/ha)

♦Fertility Class/Nutrient/ha

Sahel 120kg N Low 120kgN

Sudan
Northern Guinea Med 6 0 - 80kg N
Savanna High 30 - 50kg N
60kg P205 Low 60kg P20g
Med 30kg P205
High 0 - 1 0 kgP20B

60kg K20 Low 60kg K20

Med 30kg K20
High NIL
Southern Guinea 100kg N Low 100kg N
Savanna Med 50 - 75kg N
High 2 5 - 35kg N
50kg P205 Low 50kg P205
Med 25 - 35kg- P205
High 0 — 15kg P205

30kg K20 Low 30kg K20

Med 1 5 - 2 0 k g K20
High NIL
Forest 70kg N Low 70kg N
Med 30 - 50kg N
High 1 5 - 25kg N

28
 Table 2 .2 . Fertilizer Recommendation for Guinea Corn (Sorghum)
Agro-ecological Generalised
Zone Recommendation Based on
Recommendation Soil Test Values
(nutrient/ha)

Fertility class/nutrient/ha
§ahel 64kg N Low 64kg N
Sudan
Northern Guinea Med 30 - 40kg N
Savanna High 15 — 25kg N
32kg P205 Low 32kg P205
Med 16 - 25kg P205
High 0 - 10kg p 2 o5

Southern Guinea 32kg N Low 32kg N

Savanna Med 15 - 20kg N
High 10kg N
16kg P20g Low 16kg P205
-
Med 8 —10kg P20g
High 0 — 5kg P205
15kg K20 Low 15kg K20
Med 8 - 10kg K20
High NIL
Source; Fertilizer Use Committee (1988)

29
 Table 2.3. Fertilizer Recommendation for Millet

Agro-ecologicai Generalised Recommendation Based on

Zone Recommendation Soil Test Values
(nutrient/ha)

Fertility class/nutrient/ha

Sahel 80kg N Low 60kg N

Sudan
Northern Guinea Med 3 0 - 40kg N
Savannah High 1 5 - 25kg N

30kg P205 Low 30kg P205

Med 15 kg P20g
Hifch 0 - 8kg P205

* 30kg K20 Low 30kg K20

Med 15 - 20kg K20
High NIL

Southern Guinea 30kg N Low 30kg N

Med 1 5 -2 0 k g N
High 10kg N

15kg P20g Low 15kg P205

Med 10kg P20g
High 0 - 5 k g P 205

15kg K20 Low 15kg K20

Med 10kg K20
High NIL

Source: Fertilizer Use Committee (1988)

30
 *

Table 2.4.1. Fertilizer Recommendation for Upland Rice

Agro-ecological Generalized Recommendation Based on Soil

Zone Recommendation Test Values
(nutrient/ha) ( nutrient/ha)

Tall Short Fertility Tall Short

class

Sahel and 40 70kg N Low 40 70kg N

Northern Guinea Med 20 35kg N
Savanna High 10 20kg N

30 30kg P2 O5 Low 30 30kg P 2 O5

Med 15 15kg P2 0 5
High 0 - 1 0 0 - 1 0 kgP 2 0 5

30 30kg K20 Low 30 30kg K20

Med 15 15kg K20
High NIL NIL

Southern Guinea 20 40kg N Low 20 40kg N

Med 10 20kg N
Savanna High 5 10kg N

15 15kg P2 0 5 Low 15 15kg P2 0 5

Med 8 8 kg P2 0 5

High 0 -5 0 —5kg P 2 O5

13 15kg K20 Low 15 15kg K20

Med 8 kg K20
8

High NIL NIL

Source: Fertilizer Use Committee (1988)

31
 T able 2 .4 .2 . F ertilizer R e co m m e n d a tio n fo r L o w lan d R ic e

Agro-ecological Generalized Recommendation Based on Soil Agro-ecological

zone Recommendation Values zone
(nutrient/hu) (nutrient/ha)

Tall Short Fertility Tall Short

class
a l l zones
Sahel and 70 120kgN Low 70 120kgN
Sudan Savanna Mud 40 60kg N
High 20 30kg N

40 40kg K20 Low 40 40kg K20

Med 20 20kg K20
High NIL NIL

Southern Guinea 40 60kg N Low 40 60kg N

Med 20 30kg N
High 10 15kg N
Source; Fortiliz
30 40kg P206 Low 30 40kg P205
Med 15 20kg P205 Table J

o
r-H

Oo
0
High 0 -1 0

U3
Agro-ccoiogical
zone
20 20kg K20 Low 20 20kg K20
Med 10 10kg K20
High 0 -5 0 —5kg K20 Sahel and Sudan
Savanna

Source: Fertility Use Committee (1988)

Table 2,5, Fertilizer Recommendation for Wheat

Agro-ecological Generalized Recommendation Based on

zone Recommendation Soil Test Values
(nntrient/ha)

Fertility class/nutrient/ha

Sahel and 100kgN Low 100kgN Guinea Savanna

Sudan Savanna Med 50kgN
High 25kg N

45kg P205 Low 45kg P205

Med 25kg P205
High 15kg P205

30kg K20 Low 30kg K20

Med 15kg K20
High NIL

Source: Fertilizer Use Committee (1988) Source: Fertilizer

32

famnrr-a-' . , . 1
 T a b le 2 .6 . F e r tiliz e r R e c o m m e n d a tio n fo r G r o u n d n u t

Agro-ecological Generalized Recommendation Based

zone Recommendation on Soil Test Values
(nutrient/ha)

Fertility class/nutrient/ha

ALL ZONES 0 —20kg N Low 0 —20kg N

Med NIL

54kg P2 O5 Low 54kg P2 0,5

Med 30kg P2 05
High 15kg P2 05

25kg K20 Low 25kg K20

- Med 15kg K20
High NIL

Source: Fertilizer lie Committee (1988)

Table 2.7. Fertilizer Recommendation for Cowpea and Soyabean

Agro-ecological Generalized Recommendation Based

zone Recommendation on Soil Test Values
(nutrient/ha) (nutrient/ha)

Sahel and Sudan 20kg N HoW 20kg N

Savanna Med 10kg N
High NIL

40kg P2 05 Low 40kg P2 05

Med 2 0 kg P2 O5
High 10kg P2 05

20kg K20 Low 20kg K 20

Med 10kg K20
High NIL

Guinea Savanna 10kg N Low 10kg N

Med 5kg N
High NIL

36kg P2 0g Low 36kg P2 O5

Med 18kg P2 0g
High 10kg P2 05

2 0 kg K20 ' Low 2 0 kg

K20
Med 10kg Ka0
High NIL

Source: Fertilizer Use Committee (1988)

33
 Long'season crops like maize, rice and sorghum may require more than one application.
Using 25:10:10; 27:13:13 and 20:10:10 + 2S + lZn or other compound fertilizers half the
recommended rate of Nitrogen should be broadcast and incorporated at planting and the
remainder half banded 4 — 6 weeks later. Short season crop like millet can do with one single
application at planting.
Potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are applied either during land preparation or at plant­
ing. Early application of P is recommended because of its immobility in the soil, so it is close
to the seed on germination, where it can be easily picked up.
For crops such as cowpea, groundnut and soyabean, all the required fertilizers are applied
during land preparation or at planting.
» THE CH i
Effect of Fertilizer on the Soil j Potential
Continuous use of mineral fertilizers has some long term effects on the soil which will be deter­ I rate enviri
mined by the level of care exercised in fertilizer application, and the crop residue management. I ratures wl
(Lombin, 1987). First, there is increased production of organic matter whose return to the if fertility oi
soil will improve the soil structure, and over the years, raise soil organic matter level. Secondly, i nutrients
nutrient imbalance can be created through injudicious use of fertilizer. For example, conti­ > tropical A:
nuous use of NPK fertilizers can lead to deficiency of some nutrients like zinc and magnesium. ? At the
Thirdly, fertilizer use may lead to soil acidification, as has been shown in the case of nitrogenous about the
fertilizers. Continuous use of high rates of ammonium sulphate and urea increase soil acidity. Today, m s
The residual acidity from ammonium sulphate application is so high that it is no longer recom­ ; mum theo
mended as source for crop production. due, in lap
I of large qi
Combined Effect of Organic Matter and Mineral Fertilizers | wheat yiel
While the use of mineral fertilizers alone has been shown to increase crop yield, a combination I 70kg/ha tc
of organic matter and mineral fertilizers indicated that the same level of yield could be main­ I was being i
tained at a lower level of mineral fertilizer. In other words, the application of fertilizers to response ri
crops in the presence of organic matter is better than with mineral fertilizers alone. application
soils of Sot
CONCLUSION result of gc
Improved technology for efficient fertilizer use exists for most cereals and legumes grown in I this centurj
Nigeria. Based on soil test values, the different economic rates for various crops have been I It is ob
worked out for the different agro-ecological zones. The major constraints to fertilizer adop­ | build up oi
tion are related more to availability (high cost and low quantity). I beginning h
There is a need, therefore, to augment the short fall from organic sources where available. 1953, Nigei
| to 119,000
5 has been mi
REFEfttiNCES | soil moistur
g of Nigerian
Fertilizer Use Committee, 1988. Fertilizer use and Management Practices for crops in Nigeria. \ which are c
Enwezor et al., (eds). Fertilizer Procurement and Distribution Division, Lagos. commonly
Lombin-, G. 1987. Fertilizer requirement of the major cereal crops in the Nigerian Savanna. basic researi
Paper presented at the National Fertilizer Seminar Port-Harcourt, 50pp. | challenge is

I
the country
acceptable ti
varieties and
stable and
l country.
I In the su
I ships of inci
I ment of a no
| in the Niger!
I efficiency.