For Nigerian farmers seeking to boost crop yields and improve soil fertility, fertiliser is crucial. There has never been a better opportunity to increase agricultural production in Nigeria, as evidenced by the country’s recent recovery in fertiliser usage to over 1.6 million tonnes, partly due to government programs such as the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative. 

However, farmers must use fertilisers carefully by choosing the proper kind, applying the right amount, and timing applications to maximise benefits and prevent waste or environmental harm. This blog post will teach Nigerian farmers how to apply fertiliser effectively and responsibly to improve harvests and maintain soil health over time.

Benefits of Fertiliser

Fertilisers play a crucial role in ensuring that plants grow successfully by supplying essential nutrients such as potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N). These nutrients are vital for various physiological processes in plants, contributing to their overall health and productivity.

Some key benefits of using fertilisers are:

• Increased Plant Growth: Potassium fortifies stems and increases resistance to drought, phosphorus aids in root development and seed generation, and nitrogen encourages lush, green foliage.
• Increase of disease and pest Resistance: Because fertilised crops are more resilient, they use fewer pesticides and herbicides and deliver healthier results.
• Effective Soil and Water Retention: Fertilisers can increase the soil’s root depth and water-holding capacity, which can help crops survive dry spells.
• Sustained Soil Fertiliser: Organic fertilisers, like those made by BioAg Nigeria, facilitate long-term soil health and sustainability by enhancing soil organic matter, improving soil structure, and supporting beneficial soil organisms.

Choosing the Right Fertiliser Combination 

The most widely used fertilisers in Nigeria are NPK fertilisers, which contain different proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The crops’ and the soil’s nutritional needs determine the choice:

• NPK 15-15-15: Is a  balanced formula that works well for a variety of crops 
• NPK 20-10-10: It is excellent for green crops like vegetables and maize because of its high nitrogen concentration.
• NPK 12-12-17+Mg: Magnesium is present in suitable amounts for fruit crops like tomatoes.
• NPK 10-20-10: Good for root crops like yams and cassava, high in phosphorus.
• NPK 6-20-10: Is ideal for leguminous crops like beans and groundnuts

A soil test must be performed before application to find nutrient deficits and choose the right fertiliser.

In discussions among stakeholders at a recent meeting of experts organised by the West African Fertiliser Association (WAFA), Mr Innocent Ikuku highlighted the potential of the Nigerian fertiliser sector. He noted, “Nigerian fertiliser sector is basically just taking off and if the environment remains friendly and we allow private sector to keep investing as they should, the sector is going to boom in the near future”

Best Application Practices

• Broadcasting: Spreading fertiliser evenly across the field before or after planting. Suitable for crops like rice, maize, and wheat, but can lead to nutrient loss if not managed properly.
• Band Placement: involves applying fertiliser in narrow bands near plant roots. This method improves nutrient uptake efficiency and reduces wastage, making it highly recommended for many crops.
• Side Dressing: Applying fertiliser alongside growing plants during the season to meet increasing nutrient demand.
• Foliar Application: Spray liquid fertilisers directly onto leaves for quick nutrient absorption. This is especially useful for micronutrients or correcting deficiencies.
• Fertigation: Delivering fertilisers dissolved in irrigation water through drip or sprinkler systems, ensuring precise nutrient delivery to roots.
• Deep Placement: Placing fertiliser below the soil surface to reduce nutrient loss, commonly used for urea application in rice paddies

In Nigeria, band placement and fertigation are the most effective techniques because they decrease nutrient loss, enhance uptake, and lessen environmental pollution.

Case Study: Efficient Urea Use of Fertilisers in Maize

Research from the Sahel region advises applying urea at 48 kg/ha for maize, split into two applications: one at planting (point applied and covered with soil) and another at the 8-leaf stage. This approach improves nitrogen use efficiency and crop yield.

Tips on Applying Fertilisers to Your Crops 

• Conduct Soil Testing: Before applying fertilisers, test your soil to understand its nutrient status. This helps avoid over-application or under-application of nutrients.
• Follow the 4Rs of Fertiliser Use: Apply the right product, at the right rate, at the right time, and using the right method. For example, split applications of urea in maize, such as applying some at planting and the rest during growth stages, can increase efficiency.
• Calibrate Application Tools: Whether using hand tools or mechanical spreaders, ensure they are calibrated to accurately apply the recommended fertiliser quantity.
• Avoid Fertiliser Contact with Seeds: When banding, place fertiliser beside or below seeds, not directly on them, to prevent seed damage.
• Use Organic Fertilisers Where Possible: Incorporate organic fertilisers like compost or BioAg Nigeria’s organic products to improve soil health and reduce chemical dependency.
• Adopt Split Applications: For crops like maize, applying fertiliser in splits during different growth stages matches nutrient availability with crop demand, enhancing uptake and reducing losses.
• Consider Environmental Conditions: To reduce nutrient runoff and leaching, apply fertilisers during low rainfall or avoid heavy rains.
• Combine Fertiliser Use with Good Agronomic Practices: Crop rotation, intercropping, and conservation tillage can improve nutrient use efficiency and soil fertility.

Overusing or misusing fertilisers can lead to soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Organic fertilisers and precision application methods help mitigate these risks, supporting sustainable agriculture and environmental health.  Embracing best practices in fertiliser management is not just good farming; it is essential for Nigeria’s food security and environmental stewardship.