Maize as a second crop for the uplands of Sierra Leone, West Africa

Stover yields were highest for planting from May 15 through June 15. Grain and stover yields responded to increasing levels of fertilization and varied according to varieties. Planting densities from 40,000-70,000 plants/ha did not affect grain yields, but influenced stover production. Date of planting and variety of maize are two of the most important factors for increasing maize production in W. Africa. Although temperate hybrid maize under high fertilizer treatments produced 60% greater yields than native varieties under the same conditions, yields and other characteristics of the temperate hybrids were not altogether satisfactory. The search for varieties that are more responsive to fertilizers and better adapted to the conditions of West Africa must be continued.