Abstract: Grain yield of hybrid maize (Oba-2 super) and a popular open-pollinated (O.P) local variety were studied over 3 years (1996-1998) in three selectd locations-Nsukka, Awgu and Abakaliki, all of which belong to derived savanna agro ecological zone of Nigeria. Under a factorial arrangement fitted into a RCB and with four replicates, the cultivars were treated to 5 levels of fertilizer NPK derived from soil analytical data. The levels were F₀, F₁, F₂, F₃ and F₄ caluclated and applied according to crop need in each location. An optimum rate (F₃) of 493, 566 and 540 kg ha ¹ mixed NPK fertilizers was established at Nsukka, Awgu and Abakaliki, respectively, for maize cultivation. Each of the rates was location specific. They are, however, 1.5 times the agronomically recommended rate of 300 kg ha ¹ in the general area. The results showed that average grain yields of 311.5, 3371.5 and 338.2 kg ha ¹ were, respectively, obtained at Nsukka during 1996, 1997 and 1998 cropping seasons. At Awgu, the average yields obtained at the same periods included 4033.1, 4576.4, 4123.1 kg ha ¹, while Abakaliki had 4309.8, 3766.5, 3834.8 kg ha ¹. Grain yield response to the mixed NPK fertilizer was higher at F₃ rate while higher grain yields were obtained by the cultivation of hybrid in preference to O.P. From the study, it was concluded that for rainfed maize cultivation such as is the case in the study, adequate dosage of fertilizers based on soil and analytical data is attainable and thus, one doze application of F₃ rate is recommended for optimum performance of maize.