105
3.7 Maize Grain Protein Content as Influenced by
the Previous Cropping Systems at Lilongwe and Dowa
Sites
Maize grain protein content (Fig. 5) was significantly different (P < 0.01) due to N
fertilizer rate applied. The trend of protein percentages increased in maize grain was
from 9.0% in 0  kg  N  ha
−1
to 11.4% protein in 120  kg  N  ha
−1
inorganic fertilizer
application (Fig. 5). In general, increasing the amount of N applied led to increase
in maize grain protein content. For the Dowa site, the trend in maize grain protein
Lilongwe
Dowa
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
HI (%)
Previous cropping systems
Tukey HSD = 16.7
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
HI (%)
Previous cropping systems
Tukey HSD = 11.0
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Protein content (%)
Previous cropping systems
Tukey HSD = 2.1
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Protein content (%)
Previous cropping systems
0 kg N/ha
45 kg N/ha
90 kg N/ha
120 kg N/ha
Tukey HSD = 2.5
Fig. 5 Harvest index percentages (HI%) and grain protein content (%) of maize as influenced by
the previous cropping systems and N fertilizer rate at Lilongwe and Dowa study sites. Means were
separated using Tukey’s HSD test at 5% significant level and its value is shown on the bar charts;
error bars represent standard errors of the means. MZ = maize, CP = cowpea, PP = pigeon pea,
92 N = 92 kg N ha
−1
Integrated Soil Fertility Management Based on Pigeon Pea and Cowpea Cropping…