Response of maize to coconut husk ash application in an acid sandy-loam soil in Abakaliki, South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Response of maize to coconut husk ash application was evaluated in an acid sandy loam soil under Abakaliki agroecology in South-East Nigeria. A land area measuring 0.03 ha was used for the experiment. The field was laid out using Randomized Complete Block Design with five treatments of coconut husk ash at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 t ha 1, replicated four times. Oba Super II hybrid maize was used as the test crop. Results showed that soil texture remained sandy loam after cropping. Hydraulic conductivity of coconut husk ash amended soil except the one applied at 2 t ha−1 was significantly (P coconut husk ash at 8tha−1> coconut husk ash at 4t ha−1 >coconut husk ash at 2 t ha−1 > control. It was concluded tha amendment of soil with coconut husk ash could be recommended for reducing soil acidity and higher maize production in an acid sandy loam.