A new site-specific nutrient management approach for maize in the favorable tropical environments of Southeast Asia

The demand for maize in Asia cannot be met despite increases in domestic production and yield in the last 15 years. Further increases in maize yield with good economic returns are feasible in most favorable growing environments of Southeast Asia through relatively straightforward adjustments in crop and nutrient management. More than 120 on4farm experiments with hybrid maize were conducted during 200442008 at 19 key production sites in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam to develop and evaluate a new site4 specific nutrient management approach for Asia. Compared to the farmers’ practice, SSNM improved yield by about 0.9 to 1.3 Mg/ha across sites in each country. The added net benefit of 184 US$/ha/crop with SSNM was attributed to increased yield rather than reduced costs of inputs. SSNM increased the agronomic efficiency of N fertilizer by 53% compared to the FFP.