Effect of different levels of wood ash on nutrient contents of maize (Zea mays L.) and grain yield in an acid Ultisol of Southeast Nigeria.

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Umudike in the rainforest zone and at Igbariam in the derived savanna zone in early seasons of 2001 and 2002 to study quantitatively wood ash effects on leaf nutrient compositions and grain yield. Treatments consisted of 0,2,4,6 and 8t, ha wood ash replicated thee times in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results show that wood ash applied from 4t ha significantly (r2= 0.95**- 0.99**) increased ear leaf N.P.K, Ca and Mg concentration and significantly increased grain yield of maize (r2 = 0.96** -0.99**) in southeast Nigeria.

Nigerian Journal of Soil Science Vol. 17 2007: pp. 98-103