Managing Nutrients for Climatic Resilience in African Smallholder Maize Production

This paper presents the results of field studies conducted in Zimbabwe to quantify the yield response of maize to current and projected climatic conditions. The effect of management practices, such as cultivar choice, planting date and fertilizer use, were evaluated. The long-term impact of these management options was assessed through crop simulation modelling. It was shown that NPK fertilizer and manure use increased maize yield under both current and projected changes in climatic conditions in the area. The yield benefits of nutrient management were further increased when maize was planted within 3 weeks of the start of the wet season.