Effects of decaying leaf litter and inorganic fertilizer on growth and development of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The effects of decaying leaf litter of Tithonia diversifolia and Vernonia amygdalina as organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer and their combination effects on the growth and development of maize were studied in a screen house. Twenty-four experimental bags filled with 20 kg of loamy soil were laid out in a completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications for each treatment which included: 250 g of decaying leaves of T. diversifolia as mulch (T 1 ), 250 g of decaying leaves of V. amygdalina (T 2 ), 1.52 g of NPK (inorganic) fertilizer (T 3 ), a mixture of 250 g of decaying leaves of T. diversifolia and 1.52 g of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer (T 4 ), a mixture of V. amygdalina and 1.52 g of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer (T 5 ) and control (T 6 ). The significant growth as well as maize yields were obtained from T 3 treated maize seedlings, and this was closely followed by T 4 treated seedlings. The study showed that the decaying leaf litter as an organic fertilizer in maize production in a screen house conditions did not give better yield than NPK treatment alone.

Impact of industrial effluent on morphological characteristics of maize fodder

“…From this result it was found that plant dry weight decreased significantly with the increase of industrial effluent. Chukwuka et al, (2014) affected maize plant dry weight which was dissimilar with this stage also.…”

“…Root length and maize plant dry weight were significantly (P<0.05) higher for fresh water irrigation treatment (T1) compared to industrial effluent irrigation treatments. Umebese and Onasanya (2007) and Chukwuka et al, (2014) stated that increasing concentration of industrial effluents gives rise to gradual increase in the root length and maize plant dry weight, however, this finding is fully disagreed with those findings. Grigorou et al (1987) also reported that using of sewage water for irrigation improved root length.…”

“…The lowest root length was observed in T5 followed by T4 and T3 which was lowest as compared to T1 and T2. In the study, Chukwuka et al (2014) reported that increasing concentration of industrial effluent (sewage) gives rise to gradual increase in the root length of maize. The result of this study disagreed with their assertion.…”

“…Though, the value was higher in treatment T1 and the lower value was observed in T5 group. Chukwuka et al, (2014) also stated that the application of various concentrations of the industrial effluents positively increased maize plant dry weight. This statement was dissimilar with the present study because the effect of heavy metal toxicity on the growth and development of plants differs according to the particular heavy metal for that process.…”

Response of maize (Zea mays L.) to rates of nitrogen and zinc application in Minna, Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

“…Maize production in Nigeria and in sub-Saharan Africa has been found to have an increasing trend of between 2% and 3% annually (Boxall, 2000). It is one of the important staple and consumed food crops in sub-Saharan Africa (Chukwuka et al, 2014). Maize also known as corn is a crop that is cultivated widely throughout the world in a range of agro-ecological environments (IITA, 2009).…”