Influence of Slurry-Fertigation of Maize (Zea Mays) Production on Nutrient-Depleted Sand-Loam Soil

Abstract

Attempt to improve the standard of living and maintain a natural environment with crop production for a healthy man living, the use of different soil amendments to upgrade agricultural soils are of great concern in this millennium. The use of animal wastes for crop production and to reduce the menace of these wastes in man’s environment must also be considered. Hence, a field experiment was carried out at Lagos State University of Education, Michael Otedola Campus, Teaching and Research Farm, Epe Lagos using pig and poultry wastes; prepared into a slurry and applied at different rates for maize production under field conditions. The experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments; which are: NFE-Control, Pig dung (0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 kg/ 3.6 m2) and Poultry dung (0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 kg/ 3.6 m2) and replicated three times. From this study, animal waste slurry for maize production increased both the vegetative growth and maize grain yield. Maize Plant Height (PH, cm), at 4 weeks after sowing ranged from 19.8±8.8 – 33.1±8.8 under NFE and Poultry dung (0.6kg) applications, and 50.8±18.9 – 93.4±18.9 under NFE and Pig manure (1.8kg) application at 6 weeks after sowing. Both Poultry and Pig dung slurry at 0.6kg - 1.8kg/3.6 m2 on nutrient-depleted soil gave grains yield ranging from 1.1 to 2.0 t/ha. As a result, the application of these dungs increased the growth and yield of maize and is thus recommended for maize production.