PERFORMANCE OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) AS INFLUENCED BY COMPLEMENTARY USE OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Crop Production Department, Federal University of Technology Minna, Gidan Kwanu Campus to determine the effect of organic manure ( poultry dropping) and inorganic fertilizer (NPK) on performance of maize. The Samaru 13 maize cultivar, which is extra early, yellow in colour was used. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of 6t/ha of poultry dropping , NPK 15: 15: 15 at the rate of 100kgN, 60kg P2 05, and 60kg K20 and combination of poultry dropping plus inorganic fertilizer. Application of poultry dropping, poultry dropping plus inorganic fertilizer did not show any significant (p>0.05) difference in plant height at 3WAS. However, significant (p<0.05) difference was observed in plant height at 6 and 9 WAS respectively. Application of poultry dropping plus inorganic fertilizer recorded highest plant height while lowest plant height was recorded when poultry dropping and inorganic fertilizers were applied. There was significant (p<0.05) difference in leaf length at 3 and 6 WAS, however, no significant (p>0.05) difference was observed at 9WAS when poultry dropping, poultry dropping plus inorganic fertilizer were applied. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the number of leaves at 3WAS, but significant (p<0;05) difference was at 6WAS. Application of poultry dropping, poultry dropping plus inorganic fertilizer resulted in highest number of leaves at 9WAS. Also, The result shows that application of poultry dropping, plus inorganic fertilizer resulted in highest grain weight while lowest was observed when inorganic fertilizer was applied.