Enhancing growth and yield of crops with nutrient‑enriched organic fertilizer at wet and dry seasons in ensuring climate‑smart agriculture

Abstract

Purpose Rapid nutrient depletion in soils is one of the major problems that afect food production and food security in SubSaharan Africa. Studies have linked the growth of food crops with seasonal variation and diferences in weather conditions. This study was conducted to assess the efects of various organic fertilizer formulations (OFFs) on the growth and yield of selected crops (Zea mays L.; Glycine max, TX 114 and Dioscorea rotundata Poir) during rainy and dry seasons to ensuring climate-smart agriculture. Methods The OFFs used were plant-based (PB), animal-based (AB), rock-based (RB), organic mixture (OM-mixture of PB, AB and RB), synthetic/chemical (SC) while ordinary compost without fortifcation served as control. Efects of OFFs on growth parameters (number of leaves, plant height, stem girth, leaf area, and crop yield) of maize, yam and soybeans were assessed in plot experiments across the two seasons. Results The RB gave highest growth performances in maize and soybean plots at both seasons when applied at 2.5 t ha−1. It also improved yam growth when applied at 2.5 t ha−1 (rainy season) and 3.0 t ha−1 (dry season) more than any other fertilizer. The largest yield of maize in the dry season was obtained from plots with PB at 2.0 t ha−1. The AB at 2.0 t ha−1 gave the largest soybean yield in the rainy season. Conclusions Organic fertilizers enriched especially with rock-based and plant-based materials have the potential to ameliorate the threat of climate change and seasonal variation to food security.