Soil Chemical Properties and Growth Parameters of Maize(Zea mays) as influenced by Integrated Composted Animal Manure and NPK fertilizer in an Acidic Ultisol
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Abstract
A greenhouse-scale study was conducted at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria to determine the effects of composted animal manure (poultry, pig and goat droppings) and N.P.K (15:15:15) fertilizer on maize height, biomass yield and soil chemical properties. The trial involved six treatments viz: control (received no amendments), NPK 15:15:15 (400kg/ha), NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (200kg/ha) + 10% of compost (1kg/10kg of soil), NPK 15:15:15 (200kg/ha) + 20% of compost (2kg/10kg of soil), 10% of compost manure and 20% compost manure. The treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design and replicated three times. The results obtained showed that T5 (10% of compost) gave the highest increase in plant height, which was significant from the second week till the seventh week after planting. Stem girth and number of leaves T5 also gave the highest values all through the greenhouse period; T3 (200kg/ha of NPK 15: 15: 15 fertilizer + 10% of compost, gave the highest increase in biomass yield of maize, followed by T4 (200kg/ha of N.P.K 15:15:15 fertilizer + 20% compost). After harvest, T4 also gave the highest values for Soil pH (6.77), total nitrogen (0.23%), organic matter (3.41%), Exchangeable calcium and potassium (11.20 and 0.64 cmol/kg respectively). All the values were significantly higher than the control and the other treatments considered. It was concluded from the result that compost manure application either solely or in combination with N.P.K (15:15:15) fertilizer performed best in the growth and biomass yield of maize. It also improved the soil chemical properties in the study area.
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References
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