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Maize is the most widely grown food crop in Kenya and a major source of income for rural households. However, many farmers struggle with poor yields due to declining soil fertility and misuse of fertilizers. Knowing the right fertilizer to apply, how much to use, and when to apply it can greatly improve maize production.

This guide explains the best fertilizers for maize grown in Kenya, taking into account different soil types, climate zones, and stages of maize growth. It outlines the common types of fertilizers used, the role of soil testing, and how organic fertilizers can be incorporated into maize farming. It also covers the economics of fertilizer use, helping farmers evaluate their return on investment and choose the most cost-effective strategies.

Maize has different nutritional needs during each stage of growth. From germination to cob formation, it requires phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, and several micronutrients. Applying the wrong type of fertilizer or doing so at the wrong time can lead to low yields or poor-quality harvests. Similarly, using the same fertilizer season after season without understanding soil conditions can lead to soil degradation and long-term fertility problems.

For best results, Kenyan farmers should base their fertilizer decisions on soil test results, crop stage, and the variety of maize being planted. While chemical fertilizers offer fast results, organic fertilizers are more sustainable and help improve the soil structure over time. A combination of both approaches often provides the best outcomes.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced farmer, this guide offers practical, region-specific advice to help you make informed decisions. With proper planning and fertilizer use, maize yields in Kenya can be significantly improved, leading to better food security and increased income for farming families.

1. Types of Fertilizers Recommended for Maize

Fertilizers used in maize farming are grouped into two main categories. The first is basal fertilizers, which are applied at planting. The second is topdressing fertilizers, which are added after the crop has started growing. Each plays a vital role in supporting healthy crop development.

Basal fertilizers are used to establish strong root systems and early plant vigor. In Kenya, the most commonly used basal fertilizer is DAP, which contains nitrogen and phosphorus. DAP supports strong root growth and helps the seedling establish quickly.

However, if used excessively, DAP can cause soil acidity. For this reason, it is important to test the soil before using it. Another option is TSP, which supplies phosphorus but does not contain nitrogen. If you use TSP, you will need to add nitrogen separately.

Compound NPK fertilizers such as twenty three twenty three zero or seventeen seventeen seventeen offer a balanced mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These are especially useful when the soil has multiple nutrient deficiencies.

Topdressing fertilizers are applied about three to six weeks after planting, when the plant is growing rapidly. The most common topdressing fertilizers in Kenya are CAN and Urea. CAN provides nitrogen and calcium and is often preferred because it is more stable in the soil. Urea is high in nitrogen but should be applied carefully to avoid nitrogen loss through evaporation.

Choosing the right fertilizer depends on your soil, maize variety, and rainfall. Applying the wrong fertilizer or using too much can harm the crop and damage the soil. Farmers are advised to consult agricultural extension officers or conduct a soil test before buying fertilizers. The combination of a good basal fertilizer and a well-timed topdressing can increase maize yields by more than double in many parts of Kenya.

Read Also: Best Hybrid Maize Seeds in Kenya

2. Fertilizer Application by Growth Stage

Maize grows in several distinct stages, and its nutrient needs change at each stage. Applying fertilizer correctly according to these stages is essential for good crop performance. The four main growth stages of maize are germination, vegetative growth, flowering, and grain filling.

During planting, the most important nutrient is phosphorus. Phosphorus helps the maize seedling develop strong roots. Farmers commonly use DAP or TSP during this stage. These should be placed close to the seed but not directly on it. A common method is to place the fertilizer about five centimeters beside and below the seed. The typical rate is about fifty to one hundred kilograms per acre, depending on soil fertility.

At the vegetative stage, which starts about three weeks after planting, the crop requires large amounts of nitrogen. This is when the plant grows rapidly and forms leaves and stems. A good topdressing fertilizer like CAN or Urea should be applied at this stage. Apply fertilizer in a ring around the plant or along the rows and lightly cover with soil. This helps prevent loss of nitrogen through the air or rainwater.

At the flowering stage, the plant starts forming cobs and needs a steady supply of nutrients. Most nutrients should already be in the soil from earlier applications. However, in areas with poor soils, a second application of topdressing fertilizer or a foliar spray rich in micronutrients like zinc can help support pollination and cob development.

During the grain filling stage, avoid applying large amounts of nitrogen as this can delay maturity. Instead, maintain good moisture and weed control to help the plant fill the grains properly.

Correct fertilizer use throughout these stages can lead to better yields, stronger plants, and healthier cobs. Poor timing or underfeeding can result in weak stalks, small ears, or reduced grain quality.

3. Importance of Soil Testing Before Fertilizer Use

Many farmers in Kenya apply fertilizers based on guesswork or past habits without knowing what their soil actually needs. This approach often leads to wasted inputs, poor crop performance, or even long-term soil damage. Soil testing provides accurate information about your soil’s nutrient levels, helping you choose the right fertilizers and apply them in the right amounts.

A standard soil test measures levels of key nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as soil pH and organic matter content. It also identifies any deficiencies in micronutrients such as zinc, calcium, or magnesium. Knowing this information allows farmers to make smarter decisions about what type of fertilizer to use, how much to apply, and whether the soil needs any pH correction.

For example, some parts of Kenya already have high phosphorus levels due to years of using DAP. Adding more phosphorus in such cases can harm the soil by causing nutrient imbalances and increasing soil acidity. Instead of applying DAP again, a farmer might be advised to use CAN or an NPK blend with more nitrogen and less phosphorus.

Soil testing is simple and affordable. Farmers collect small samples from different parts of the field, mix them together, dry them in the shade, and send them to a lab. Many counties in Kenya offer soil testing through agricultural extension offices or mobile soil labs. Private companies also provide these services, and results usually include fertilizer recommendations tailored to your farm.

Testing your soil every few seasons allows you to monitor changes and maintain good soil health. It also helps reduce input costs by avoiding unnecessary fertilizer purchases. Farmers who base their fertilizer decisions on soil test results often achieve better yields and more sustainable farming practices.

4. Organic and Sustainable Fertilizer Options

With rising costs of chemical fertilizers and increasing concern about soil health, many Kenyan farmers are turning to organic and sustainable options to improve maize yields. Organic fertilizers improve the soil’s structure, increase moisture retention, and support healthy microbial life, all of which are important for long-term productivity.

One of the most widely used organic fertilizers is animal manure. Cattle, goat, and poultry manure are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The manure should be well-decomposed before application to avoid harming young plants. Farmers can apply it two to three weeks before planting by mixing it into the soil. On average, two to four tons of manure per acre is enough for good results.

Another effective option is compost. Compost is made by decomposing plant waste, food scraps, and manure in a controlled pile. The process takes a few weeks and results in dark, crumbly material that is full of nutrients. Compost improves soil fertility and helps sandy soils retain water. It is particularly useful in dry areas and degraded lands.

Green manure is a practice where farmers grow fast-growing legumes such as sunn hemp or velvet bean and plough them into the soil. These plants fix nitrogen from the air and improve soil structure. This method is cost-effective and adds valuable organic matter to the soil.

Some farmers also use biofertilizers that contain helpful microorganisms. These microbes form partnerships with plant roots and improve nutrient uptake. Biofertilizers are available in many agrovets across the country and are especially useful in low-fertility soils.

Organic fertilizers are slow-acting, so results may not be immediate. However, they build soil health over time and reduce the need for expensive chemical inputs. Many farmers find that combining organic materials with small amounts of chemical fertilizer gives the best results.

5. Cost Effectiveness and Yield Comparison

When selecting fertilizers for maize, farmers should consider not only the type and timing but also the overall cost and return on investment. Understanding the relationship between fertilizer costs and expected yields helps farmers plan better and avoid losses.

Let us look at a typical example. A farmer applies one hundred kilograms of DAP during planting and one hundred kilograms of CAN for topdressing. The total cost of these fertilizers is about nine thousand Kenya shillings per acre. Without fertilizer, the field might produce eight to ten bags of maize, each weighing ninety kilograms. At a price of four thousand per bag, this gives a total of thirty two thousand to forty thousand shillings.

When the same field is fertilized correctly, it can produce twenty to thirty bags of maize, depending on the region and weather conditions. This translates to eighty thousand to one hundred twenty thousand shillings in revenue. After subtracting fertilizer and other input costs, the net profit is much higher than from unfertilized fields.

Cost effectiveness varies with location. In high potential areas such as Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia, maize responds well to fertilizer and returns are high. In drier regions such as Machakos and Makueni, poor rainfall can limit fertilizer effectiveness unless combined with water management practices.

Organic fertilizers cost less but require more labor and time to apply in sufficient quantities. Their impact on yields is slower but sustainable in the long term. Many farmers use an integrated approach combining small amounts of chemical fertilizer with organic materials to balance cost and productivity.

Tracking input costs, labor, and harvest amounts is important for making sound decisions. Farmers who monitor their expenses and yield closely are better able to adjust fertilizer use for maximum profitability and sustainability.

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