Understanding nutrient imbalances in maize (Zea mays L.) using the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) approach in the Maize belt of Nigeria

Abstract Low nutrient use efficiency in maize as a result of imbalanced nutrition has been reported to drastically reduce yield. We implemented omission experiment assess the effect application on yield and nutritional balance. Maize ear leaves were analyzed for nutrients, identify balance status using Diagnostic Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) approach. Results indicated that N or P resulted highly DRIS indices respectively, significantly lower grain A strong inverse relationship between K leaf content with index suggests negatively increases imbalance many situations. Imbalances Mg, Ca Cu more associated higher yielding treatments. Which-Won-Where show imbalances diagnosis systematically frequent when was omitted. All diagnosed nutrients even under highest NPKZn treatment; indicating further opportunity increase balanced nutrition. Balanced belt Nigeria should target varying rates N, P, K, S Zn, depending soil conditions. But, because complexities interactions during uptake, it is hardly possible realize However, differentiating antagonistic into foliar soil-based methods recommended