By Albert FutukporÂ
Nyankpala (N/R), Oct 26, GNA – The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) has begun evaluating eight innovative fertilizer treatments to enhance maize yields, improve soil health and reduce environmental nitrogen losses.
The move seeks to determine whether Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEFs) can allow farmers to achieve comparable or higher crop yields with reduced nitrogen application, minimizing nutrient runoff and greenhouse gas emissions.
Farmers from Nyankpala, Kpalsogu, Tingoli, Kpana and Preguyili, as part of a field day to the trials’ site at CSIR-SARI’s experimental field at Nyankpala, were introduced to the various treatments, fertilizer sources, and best application methods.
Dr Edwin Korbla Akley, Senior Research Scientist of Soil Microbiology, Soil Health, and Agroecology at CSIR-SARI and Co-Principal Investigator of the project, speaking during the field day, explained that the trials compared conventional urea, EEFs treated with nitrification inhibitors, selected organic amendments including Super Gro and Organic Seaweed combined with Urea.
He said treatments under evaluation included Super Urea, Kynoch Plus Urea, Anvol combined with Yara Urea, Organic Seaweed combined with Yara Urea, Super Gro combined with Yara Urea, Yara Urea, and No fertilizer treatment (Control)
Dr Akley, who also leads CSIR-SARI’s Soil Science Programme, emphasised that fertilizer effectiveness hinged on the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship (applying the Right source at the Right rate, at the Right time, and in the Right place).Â
He said “Available nitrogen can easily be lost through ammonia volatilization, leaching and microbial processes” adding “This reduces the amount of nutrients taken up by crops and can potentially damage the surrounding environment.”
The research seeks to assess the standard nitrogen application rate of 90 kilogrammes (kg) per hectare against a 20 per cent reduced rate of 72 kg per hectare to test whether enhanced treatments can sustain or boost yields using less fertiliser.Â
A parallel trial is also evaluating mineral phosphorus from Triple Super Phosphate alongside biological phosphorus from Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in combination with EEFs, conventional urea, and organic amendments to maximize nutrient use efficiency and suppress nitrogen loss.
The research team is targeting yield improvements between 20% and 35%, although results are pending as multi-season trials progress. Â
Beyond crop productivity, the researchers are measuring nitrogen losses and emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas linked to climate change.
To adapt to changing rainfall patterns and shorter growing seasons, the project utilises Wangdata, a 90-day early-maturing maize variety.Â
Dr Akley said the three-year project took a participatory approach directly engaging local agricultural communities. 
He said following initial trials, the research team planned to select four top-performing treatments for on-farm evaluation with local farmers before considering commercial distribution.  Â
He said the broader study would also explore sustainable soil management practices including maize-soybean crop rotations and the integration of millet as a cover crop to improve soil health and utilize residual nitrogen.
The project is a collaborative effort between CSIR-SARI and the University of Tennessee in the United States and funded by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research through the Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Consortium.Â
Farmers, who participated in the field day, expressed keen interest in adopting new products and techniques.
Mr Mohammed Sibdow Wunibiyeli, a farmer from Kpalsogu, said the demonstration strengthened his interest in using EEFs once they were available on the market. 
He said: “Farmers will be willing to purchase these products if their cost is justified by higher maize yields” adding he planned to share the knowledge with fellow farmers in his community.
Madam Maria Rose Sumani, a farmer from Nyankpala, highlighted the value of the practical training saying the demonstration helped me understand the different fertilizers being tested and the importance of applying them correctly.”
She said: “Adopting these improved methods would help us increase yields and improve our livelihoods.”
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Benjamin MensahÂ
Reporter: Albert Futukpor 
Email address: [email protected]