Effect of Spent Bleaching Earth and Pig Manure on The Yield and Nitrogen Utilization of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Inland Valley Swamp of Owo, South Western Nigeria

Abstract

Inland Valley Swamp has agricultural resources which have not been effectively harnessed due to inadequate information on manure management practices that will enhance productivity. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Spent Bleaching Earth (SBE) and Pig Manure (PM) application on maize and its nitrogen utilization in Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) of Owo, South Western Nigeria. Pig Manure was applied at four target levels of 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 tons per hectare with two levels of 0 and 5 tons per hectare of SBE during the dry season of 2013/2014. The experiment was repeated in 2014/2015 dry season by using four levels of SBE (0, 5, 7.5 and 10 tons per hectare) with two levels of PM (0 and 10 tons per hectare) on a different plot. In both experiments, soil moisture was complemented by drip irrigation system. The experiment was a 2 x 4 factorial, arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Maize yield and leaf nitrogen increased significantly at 10 t/ha-1PM and SBE in both experiments as compared and 0 tons (control). There was no significant difference in maize yield from plots having 10 tons of Pig Manure and 7.5-10 tons of SBE (P < 0.05) during the second experiment. At the two experiments, maximum yield were attained using PM and SBE. Combination of PM at 10 tons per hectare and 7.5-10 tons of SBE application rates were found to be important in maize production in Inland Valley Swamp of South Western Nigeria.