Soil Fertility Management and Cropping System Function in Ameliorating Maize Productivity in Ethiopia

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal worldwide [1] that belongs to the family Poaceae. It is a C4 plant, short duration and quick growing crop. It is globally ranks the third position among cereal crops after wheat and rice and it is important staple food in many countries. Grains of maize contain 13% moisture, 10% crude protein and 70.3 carbohydrates [2] is one of the most versatile emerging crops having wider adaptability under varied agro climatic conditions. Globally, maize is known as queen of cereals because it has the highest genetic yield potential among the cereals. Maize is cultivated throughout the world (58°N latitude to 40°S latitude) in an area of 179.9 m.ha across 165 countries with a production of 1013.6 m.t and average productivity of 5.63 t/ha. Only the USA, China and Brazil contribute 63% to the global maize production whilst Mexico, Argentina, India, Ukraine, Indonesia, France, Canada and South Africa are also major maize producing countries [3].