Influence of leafy biomass transfer of agroforestry trees with nitrogen fertilizer on maize stover yield in Makera, Nigeria

Abstract

Cultivation of leguminous tree crops and biomass transfer is the main possibility for soil enrichment with nutrients, especially with nitrogen and play alternative role as source of organic fertilizer. This study investigated the influence of leafy biomass transfer of Albizia lebbeck and Parkia biglobosa leguminous agroforestry trees with urea on maize stover yield. A 3 x 4 x 2 factorial design in a split-split plot design was used for this experiment in three replicates for two years. The considered factors were; biomass species (Albizia lebbeck and Parkia biglobosa, and control) as main plots, four rates of nitrogen (0, 40, 80, 120 kg N ha^-1) as sub-plots, and two maize varieties (DMR-ESR-7 and 2009 EVAT) as sub-sub plots. Data were statistically analysed using (ANOVA) at p =.05. Albizia lebbeck decomposed (38.2 g) faster than Parkia biglobosa (28.16 g). Decomposition rate constant (KD) and nitrogen release rate constant (KN) was higher in Albizia with the mean values of 15.04 week^-1 and 10.74 week^-1 than in Parkia (9.94 week^-1, 7.89 week^-1) in both seasons respectively; and this enhanced maize crop to promptly utilise the nutrient release in Albizia lebbeck. The result revealed that Albizia lebbeck leafy biomass alone brought about increase in stover yield. Nevertheless, addition of 120 kg N ha^-1 urea produced higher stover yield in 2009 EVAT. Therefore, amendment of soil with Albizia lebbeck biomass and up to 40 kg N ha^-1 urea improved soil quality and enhanced better stover yield production.

Keywords: leafy biomass, transfer, agroforestry trees, urea, nutrient release, maize stover yield