Influence of starter fertilizer (NPK) and foliar fertilizer (UREA) on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

In order to help farmers become more knowledgeable about the optimum fertilizer to apply to maize during and after planting with the intent of increasing crop yield, this study aimed to ascertain the current level of knowledge among farmers on the effects of applying various fertilizers on maize.
The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the Department of Agricultural Technology, Aquatech College of Agriculture and Technology, Ibadan, Oyo state. The experiment was arranged in a completely Randomized design (CRD) with three replicates.. The factors used were starter (NPK 15:15:15), foliar (Urea) (25kg of urea in 1 liter of water) and a combination of starter and foliar. The data collected on growth parameters were plant height. Stem girth, leaf length and grain yield and the data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significant means were separated using Least Significant Difference at p≤0.05. The experiment's findings showed that the combination of foliar and starter fertilizers improved plant height, stem, leaf length, and yield. Starter, foliar, and control performed the worst. In summary, the combination of foliar and starter fertilizers significantly (p≤0.05) increased maize growth and yield, followed by starter only, foliar, and control.