The maize grazing rotation reduces significantly the gap between fertilized and unfertilised maize on the ferralitic soils of central Uganda. In comparison with manure, potassium and calcium contents in maize biomass and soil significantly increased with inorganic fertiliser application. In light of the above results when access of NPK fertiliser is limited, we recommend the maize-grazing rotation to obtain a better maize yield on ferralitic soils. The practice is feasible and cost effective as the majority of households possess cows.
However, there is a need to determine the minimum number of cows required for optimum yield and minimum land compaction. There is also a need to determine the nutrient supplement for attaining the optimum yield under different crops and grazing rotations.
Acknowledgement This study was sponsored by the IAEA.
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