Growth and yield response of irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) to the application of different rates of inorganic fertilizer and poultry manure

Abstract

The growth and yield response of irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) under varying levels of inorganic fertilizer and poultry manure was evaluated during 2019/2020 dry season at two locations (Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, Kaduna State University, Kafanchan Campus and Kadawa, Irrigation Research Farm of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria) using a complete randomized block design with three replications. The experimental treatments consist of varying quantities of poultry manure: 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 tonnes per hectare that were incorporated in to the soil along with four levels of inorganic fertilizer 0, 100, 120, and 140 kg N ha^-1 . The results of the field trials showed that all growth and yield parameters were significantly affected by poultry manure rate in both Kafanchan and Kadawa. However, the effect of poultry manure on maize plant height and cob diameter was not significant in Kafanchan. The application of inorganic fertilizer had a positive and significant influence on all maize growth and yield attributes in both locations. Irrigated maize yield showed significant increase with increasing quantities of inorganic fertilizer and poultry manure in both Kafanchan and Kadawa. The results of the field trial indicated that a combination of 120 kg N ha^-1 inorganic fertilizer and 3.0 t ha^-1 poultry manure is desirable for optimum irrigated maize yield in Kafanchan and Kadawa.

Keywords: Maize, Irrigation, Poultry manure, Mineral fertilizer; Grain yield