Effect of Land Configuration and Cow Dung on Maize Performance in Minna, Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria.

Abstract

Field trials were carried out during the 2014 and 2015 growing season to evaluate the performance of maize as affected by different land configurations and rates of application of cow dung in Minna, Nigerian southern guinea savanna zone . The land configuration (ridge, flat and mound) and cow dung application rate (0, 5 and 10 tons ha-1) treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated four times. Agronomic practices carried out included land preparation, planting, thinning, weed control, fertilization, harvesting and processing of maize cobs. Plant height at seedling emergence, vegetative growth, tasseling and maturity stages, grain and stover yields, cob length and cob weight after crop harvest were determined. In this study, it was found that land configuration had significant (P ≤ 0.05) influence on cob length and plant height at the seedling establishment and tasseling growth stages. Planting on the flat and on ridges, and application of 10 tons haof cow dung produced the tallest (P ≤ 0.05) maize plants. Land configuration did not significantly affect grain yield, stover yield, cob length and cob weight, while 10 tons ha-1 cow dung application rate resulted in the highest grain yield, cob length and cob weight. Application of cow dung as manure at 10 tons ha-1 has the potential for improving maize performance for sustainable food security.