Yield and Yield Componemts of Extra Early Maize (Zea Mays L.) as Influenced by Intra-Row Spacing, Nitrogen and Poultry Manure Rates

Abstract

Field trials were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2006, 2007 and 2008 at the Institute for Agricultural Research (I.A.R.) Farm, Samaru to determine the performance of extra early maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by intra-row spacing, nitrogen and poultry manure rates. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three intra-row spacing (20, 25 and 30 cm), three rates of nitrogen (40, 80 and 120 kg ha^-1) and four rates of poultry manure (0, 2, 4 and 6 t ha^-1). The treatments were laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. Combinations of nitrogen and poultry manure rates were assigned to main plot, while intra-row spacing was assigned to the sub plot. The results showed increase in intra-row spacing from 20 to 25 cm significantly increased number of rows cob^-1, cob diameter, 100-grain weight and grain yield. The effect of nitrogen on such yield components as cob diameter, cob length and 100-grain weight was significant as the response was in the range of 80 to 120 kg ha^-1. Varying level of poultry manure had a significant effect on the performance of the crop. The high level of 2 t ha^-1 poultry manure significantly out yielded the control but at par with 4 and 6 t ha-1 in most of the yield attributes. The optimum yield (2.26 t ha^-1) was obtained by the combination of 25 cm intra row spacing, 82 kg N ha^-1 and 1.91 t poultry manure ha^-1 and should therefore be adopted by extra early maize farmers in Northern Guinea Savanna agro ecology.