SUITABILITY OF   MICOSAT F^® FERTILIZER FOR MAIZE GROWING IN UGANDA

 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Maize is an important crop, produced by nearly all households in Uganda. Yet, the yield of the crop is low, mainly blamed on the low use of improved technologies. In an abid to understand why farmers are reluctant to adopt the modern agricultural technologies which are hailed on enhancing productivity    (T Mwebaze et al, 2013). This study will assess the effect of the improved input (MICOSAT F® FERTILIZER) on the vegetative growth of maize crop (Zea mays L.) (Monique J. Rivera, 2020)

MICOSAT F^® fertilizer, developed in Italy, is a concoction of microorganism used in an agricultural concept called biodynamic farming. The microbes’ concoction includes Mycorrhiza, rhizobacteria, saprophytic fungi, actinomycetes and yeast. The fertilizers is believed to positively affect the balance of soil fertility and contributes to it with faster growth of the root system. Additionally, it is presumed to lead to higher abiotic stress tolerance, prevention of plant-root diseases and improvement of nutritional absorption among others. The working principle is that the microbes get released and colonize the root system after their enclose coat get dissolved in soil water. MICOSAT F®(CCS)

1.2 Problem statement

MICOSAT F^® FERTILIZER is a new fertilizer in Uganda developed from Italy, no knowledge is yet known on its suitability in crop growth in Uganda, therefore this project intends to evaluate its activity on the vegetative growth of crops in Uganda.

1.3 General objective

To evaluate efficacy of MICOSAT F^® FERTILIZER on maize crop growth in Uganda.

1.3.1 Specific objective

1. To  establish the effectiveness of MICOSAT F® FERTILIZER  on vegetative growth of maize in Uganda

1.3.2 Research questions

1. How effective is the MICOSAT F® FERTILIZER maize crop vigour growing in Uganda?

1. What health benefits does the MICOSAT F® FERTILIZER have on the maize crop grown in Uganda?

1.4 Justification

MICOSAT F^® formuations are mycorrhizal fungi-based communities which also include growth promoting rhizobacteria and saprophytes. Despite the inherent diversity, the microbial consortia tend to respond to environment stressors as a single organism, thus having more possibilities than any other single microbial strain, because they adapt one or more of their components to each stress. MICOSAT(C.C.S)

After application of Micosat F^® in the ground, mycorrhizae grow and become colony in about a week’s period. The mycorrhizae penetrate the roots of the plant to form a symbiosis. Once penetrated into the roots of the host plant, the mycorrhizae help the plant to absorb nutrients better; such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate. In addition, the plant extracts better the trace elements from the soil, such as magnesium, copper, zinc and iron.

Furthermore, the select group of fungi and bacteria in Micosat F assists the stronger and healthier plant to become more resistant against diseases. There are a number of dominant fungi and bacteria in the soil and theses are given less chance to attack the crop thtough the use of Micosat F.

The crops can also be treated a number of times during the growing season by spraying Micosat F^® dissolved in water. Through this, resistance against diseases above the ground is further improved. MICOSAT F^®(C.C.S)

Micosat F® also; increases root structure, improves yields, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, is 100% biological, does not leave residues on the crop, aims for sustainable agriculture and less phosphate is needed.

                                      CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 MAIZE

Maize (zea mays L. ) originally a new plant that was introduced in uganda in 1861 (sprague,1887) and by 1900, it was  already  an established crop ( Ministry  of agriculture 1988.) its now one of the most staple foods in uganda, providing over 40% of Uganda’s daily calorie consumption.(Sseremba G. et al, 2020). Its an important food and income security crop that supports livelihood of small-scale farmers in uganda.  Production of maize has increased from  2.8million  MT (2015) to 4 milion MT(2017). Maize importance is associated with increasing demand and favourable climate  that enables two planting seasons per year. Increased demand for poulty products due to rising income has futher increased demand for maize as an animal feed. Meaning theres a large local potential market for maize. It is also staple food for majority of people In the neighbouring countries especially Kenya whose demand is more average of 600,00MT annually and and is likely to go to 1,000,000 MT therefore increasing demand in the regional market.(MAAIF, 2019).

Longe 5 OPV (Open Pollination Variety) characterized by drought- tolerance  quality protein maize and a maturity of 115 days is mostly used by the local farmers with an average yield of 300 and 600kg per acre,these yields are obtained without application of any type fertilizers thus low yields. Some farmers donot have the means to buy improved seeds and rather grow local varieties that they can save from one campaign to another which doesn’t cost them anything . To significantly increase maize yields with improved varieties, farmers need to grow  them under good management practices which involve the use of organic fertilizers, water and soil conservation measures and so many others. However, some farmers do not have the technical knowledge to implement such pratices which affects productivity, even with improved varieties.(FAO, 2017).

Maize current production, productivity and quality has stagnated due to several biotic ad abiotic  factors including pests and diseases, declining soil fertility, drought stress and among others. Average yields have remained as low as 2.2-2.5 MT/ha, compared to the potential of 8 MT/ha. The quality standards of the grains is generally low.(MAAIT, 2019)

2.1.1 Major disease attaking maize in uganda.

1. Maize lethal necrosis disease(MLN

Its seed borne and spread by maize thrips and leaf beetles, causes yellowing of leaves leading to premature plant death, failer to tassel, maliformed or no ears, rotting of cobs.

2. Maize streak virus(MSV)

its transmitted by hoppers feeding on leaves, small round scattered  yellow spots on the leaves that later join into typical leaf streaks which leads to stunting and premature death without cob development.

3. Gray leaf spot (GLS)

Its spread by dew or rain or ven cloudy conditions.. it destroys photosyhtetic factory of leaves if it attacks the plant early. Symptoms usually appear on a loer leaves.

4. Maize rust

Its an airbone disease that causes small elongated powdery dark brown spots on both surfaces of the leaves ands common when palnts are approaching tasseling.

5. Nothern leaf blight (NLB)

Small water soaked elongated or oval spots on the lower leaves causing blighting of leaves  causing premature withering and leaf shedding leading to reduction in plant growth.

2.1.2  Major maize pests

• Fall Army Worm(FAW)

A migratory pest causing heavy damage when the attack comes in an early stage. Heavily feed on the shoot leaving only the stems and mid-rob of leaves causing growing points to die.

They first appear as large numbers of minute green cartepillars feeding on the leaves . fully grown armyworms are vevet black uth fine yellow lines are about 35cm

• Stem borers

It bores into leaves and maize cobs, retarted growth and reduced yieds.

• Cutworms

they are greasy-looking, grayish caterpillars, which feed on green plant material. They grow upto 40mm long and tend to curl into a ‘C’ shape when disturbed.

• Termites

These may attack all plant parts of maize causing felling and damage to te cob.(MAAIF, 2019)

2.2 MICOSAT F®

MICOSAT F^® is a product of Centro Colture Sperimentali(C.C.S) , a company specializing in biotechnology and mainly focusing on research, selection and marketing of microbial based biotechnology useful in agriculture. Its presumed that the main actors of its formulations are efficient micro-organisms that promote plant nutrition and prevention of main stresses present in agriculture soils; improving overall qualitative and quantitative performance of plants.

MICOSAT F^® formulations have a very high content of mycorrhizal fungus much as 40%(crude inoculum). These formulations serve to create  a symbiotic association between plant and fungus; Mycorrhiza. The most common benefits that the symbiosis will bring to the plant are both direct (that’s to say increased uptake of nutrients ,activation of self-defences,  resistance and alarm responses), indirect (increased content of antidioxidants or increased fruit shelf life), increased tolerance to abiotic stresses like drought, salinity and others, increased homogeneity on size , anticipation of flowering times, increased flowering , increased production. Micosat F® (C.C.S)

The use of this positive organisms in MICOSAT F^® are useful in any type of agriculture forexample when changing to biodynamic farming or organic farming.MICOSAT F(CCS).

2.2.1 Micro-organisms in MICOSAT F^®

1. A mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a green plant and a fungus. The plant makes organic molecules such as sugars by photosynthesis and supplies them to the fungus, and the fungus supplies to the plant water and mineral nutrients, such as phosphorus, taken from the soil.

Mycorrhizal fungi is said to colonize 95% of the roots existing on the plant , their growth rate is very rapid and their vegetative body is very thin called fungus hypha. They are known for stimulation of the secondary root system of the plant and therefore dereived from the its hyphae .

2. Rhizobacteria canaffect plant growth by producing and releasing secondary metabolites, which either decrease or prevent the deleterious effects of phytopathogenic organisms in the rhizosphere, and/or by facilitating the availability and uptake of certain nutrients from the root environment

Plant Growth  Promoting  Rhizobacteria, have the ability to enhance absorption of nutrients  present in soil but not absorbed in high percentage by plant without application.

3. Saprophytic fungiare the largest group of (macro) fungi, responsible for breaking down and recycling dead plant and animal material. The fruit bodies seen on dead trees, leaf litre , animal bones , even faeces. They release enzymes to break down and digest lignin, cellulose,chitin in this material into simple soluble compounds that can be absorbed  by them and plant nutrients . in so doing , they play an important role in reducing the accumulation of dead organic material and in recycling essential nutrients particularly carbon and nitrogen.
4. Actinomycetesare unicellular, Gram-positive bacteria that belong to the Order Actinomycetales. Actinomyces species are ubiquitous, occurring in soil and in the microbiota of animals, including the human microbiota. They are known for the important role they play in soil ecology; they produce a number of enzymes that help degrade organic plant material, lignin, and chitin.
5. Yeast ; perform fundamental actions in bio-geochemical cycles.The natural pathways that allow essential elements of living matter to circulate through the biotic and abiotic parts of the ecosystem.

2.3  Biodynamic agriculture, is type of organic farming which focuses on ensuring self sustainability of the soil, by using special manures and herbal preparations to enhance soil health, integrating plants and animals and encouraging biodiversity. Biodynamic farming is an alternative variant where the chemical fertilizers are totally replaced by microbial (biological) nutrient givers such as bacteria, algae, fungi, mycorrhiza and actinomycetes(Sajeesh S.K et al, 2012). From a practical point of view biodynamics has proved to be productive and to yield nutritious, high quality foods.

 2. 4 Fertilizer use in uganda

While there is increased advocacy for use of inorganic fertilizers, their excessive use is associated with soil, water, and air pollution . Furthermore, inorganic fertilizers are expensive and their use may not be economically justifiable especially for the poor smallholder farmers who mainly practice subsistence farming.(S.J et al, 2020). The use of organic fertilizer MICOSAT F,  could be an alternative  to these detrimental effects of inorganic fertilizers because of its  various non detrimental effects as justified above. MICOSAT F(CCS).

                         CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study site

Experimental trials will be carried out from farmers garden field in Mukono district, Kituuza village at a latitude and longitude of (000⁰14’49’’N, 032⁰46’06’E) located 38km East of Kampala.

3.2 Fertilizer application and experimental design

Two fertilizers Micosat F Len (A), Micosat F Tab plus (B) , Micosat F Len + Micosat F Tab (A+B) (C) and will be applied to Zea mays Longe 5.

Fertilizers say A,B, and A­+ B treatment will be applied in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD)   to avoid bias in three replicates with control D.

Treatmens A,B,A+B  and C will be laid out on  individual plots measuring 11.5mx1.5 with 1-m alleys in between to avoid drift. Each block will have 36 plants per replicate and 9 plants per treatment so as to be able to generate  accurate data.

The different ttreatments will be applied to the plant three weeks after planting at an applicatiom rate of 3mg in 1ml of water per plant

3mg  of fertilizer A and B will be dissolved in 1ml of distilled water to be applied to each plant at once per block per replicate.

For C , half concentration of the recommended for both Micosat F Len and Micosat F Tab plus will be added and applied at the same rate of 3mg in 1ml of distilled water for each plant per replicate .

Data collection will follow the protocol from plot 1 to plot 12

Replicate 1

Plot 1 is treated with fertilizer A

Plot 2 is treatment ith fertizer B

Plot 3 is treatment with fertilizer C

Plot 4 is control

Replicate 2

Plot 5  will be treated with fertilizer B

Plot 6 will be treated with fertilizer C

Plot 7 will be treated with fertilizer A

Plot 8 is control for replicate 2

Replicate 3

Plot 9 will be treated with fertilizer C

Plot 10 will be treatment with fertilizer A

Plot 11 will be treated with fertilizer B

Plot 12 is going to be control for replicate 3

3.3 Plant measurement

Plant counts will be taken four  weeks after planting, each plant will  be marked and the following data will be collected per plant . Number of leaves, plant height, stalk diameter , leaf width and leaf length measurements will be taken.(9 plants per plot). Number of leaves will be manually counted per plant.

Plant height measurement will be taken from the ground line to the shoot  tip using a tape measure while stalk diameter measurements will be taken using a vernier calliper. The length and the width of the longest leaf  will also be taken per plant.

 WORK PLAN

BUDGET

References.

Abrol, B.K, Kapoor. (n.d.). Journal of science industrial research, 432-433.

BALIRWA ELIZABETH K. (1992). MAIZE RESEARCH ANDPRODUCTION IN UGANDA. KAMPALA: NABWOKYE IVAN.

Centro Colture Sperimentali. (2008). MICOSAT F(R). ROME: C.C.S.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION, L. G.-c. (2017). Technoloigies and Practices for Small Agricultural Producers. KAMPALA,UGANDA: FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF UNITED NATIONS.

MINISTRY OF AGRIULTURE,ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES. (2019). MAIZE TRAINING FOR EXTENSION WORKERS IN UGANDA. KAMPALA: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES.

Monique J. Rivera. (2020). Scientific Reports. Retrieved from www.nature.com/scientificreports: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59569-0

S.J, J. A. (2020, JAN 3). comparative perfomance of organic fertilizes in maize (zea mays L.) Growth,Yield and Economic results.

Sajeesh, P.K, Erayya and Jaba Jagdish. (2012). BIODYNAMIC FARMING: AWAY TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. India: Jaba Jagdish on 15 june 2017.