Effects of FarmYard Manure and Mineral Fertilisers on Maize Yield and Soil Properties in two Districts of Southern Rwanda

Agriculture in Rwanda is characterised by low productivity due to decline in soil fertility. This is mainly attributed to the mining of nutrients due to continuous cropping without external addition of adequate nutrients coupled with small land sizes which promotes limited scope for crop rotation and inadequate land productivity. The adoption of ISFM technologies such as the combination of organic manure and mineral fertilisers is being taken as one of solutions to the situation. This study will investigate the effect of farmyard manure and mineral fertilisers on maize yield, determine crop nutrient uptake and use efficiency and bio-chemical soil properties. The study will be conducted in Huye and Kamonyi Districts in Southern Rwanda. The experiments will be conducted in the field. Mize will be planted in plots measuring 4.5 x4.5 m and spaced at 75 x 30 cm. The experiment will be a factorial in a randomised completely bloc design (RCBD) with two factors (nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers) with 4 levels of N (0; 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha) and 3 levels of P (0; 25 and 50 kg/ha). Soil samples will be analysed for aggregate stability, soil PH, soil organic carbon, available N, total N, Phosphorus, available Potassium, CEC and ECEC. After harvest, maize grains will be dried and weighed at 12.5% moisture content. Manure will be applied as blanket at 10 tons/ ha to all treatments. The experiment will be replicated three times. Data will be subjected to analysis of variance using the general linear model of the SAS software. Treatment differences will be examined using Tukey-Kramer significant difference (HSD) test. Regression and correlation analyses between various variables will be done to draw key relationships.