Impact of Some Animal Manures on Growth and Yield of Maize (zea mays l.)

Melese Mengistu Asfaw

doi:10.7176/jnsr/11-23-04

Abstract

A field experiment to investigate the effects of application chicken, sheep and horse manure on the average yield and growth parameters of maize was carried out at the Research Farm of Woreillu Woreda, Ethiopia during 2017 planting season. Treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The variables measured were plant height, number of leaves, leave area index (LAI), stem girth and grain yield obtained. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The means were separated using LSD at five percent level of significance.Results obtained indicated that growth and yield of Maize was lowest in control treatments, which showed that the organic manures used in the study especially chicken manure positively influenced the performance and yield of Maize. The results also revealed that plots treated with chicken manure gave the highest number of leaves per plant, thicker stem, highest LAI and grain yield of 5.7 t/ha. Comparatively, lesser grain yield of 4.2 t/ha was obtained with the application of horse manure. Sheep manure produced 3.9 t/ha of maize grain while the least yield of 2.8t/ha of maize were recorded in the control treatments. Based on the findings of the experiments it could be deduced that chicken manure seems to promote higher growth yield of maize. Thus, it should be recommended for growers of maize crop in the study area. Keywords : ,Organic ,manure, ,Growth ,parameter, ,Yield, ,maize. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-23-04 Publication date: December 31 st 2020

Highlights

1., Introduction, Maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae) is the most important cereal in the world after wheat and rice with regard to cultivation areas and total production (Osagie and Eka, 1998)
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of three different organic manure applications on the growth performance and yield potentials of maize grown in North-Eastern part of Ethiopia
Our results suggest that the addition of manures to soils, and mainly CM at rate 20 t ha-1, increased soil organic matter which might have promoted the increase in soil moisture contents and enhanced the mineralization process and released more nutrient into soil solution, enhanced the uptake processes by plants

Summary

Introduction

1., Introduction , Maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae) is the most important cereal in the world after wheat and rice with regard to cultivation areas and total production (Osagie and Eka, 1998). Recycling animal manure for use as a low-cost organic fertilizer has resulted a positive effect on the growth and yield of a wide variety of crops and promoted the restoration of ecologic and economic functions of soil. Crops like maize require nutrients such as N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, and S for good production These nutrients are specific in function and must be supplied to the plant at the right time and in the right quantity for proper growth and reproduction (Adekiya and Ojeniyi, 2002). Organic manure helps to improve the physical condition of the soil and provides the required plant nutrients. It enhances cation exchange capacity and acts as a buffering agent against undesirable soil pH fluctuations (Akanni and Ojeniyi, 2008).

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion