Effects of Number and Rate of Goat Manure Application on Soil Properties, Growth and Yield of Sweet Maize (Zea mays L. saccharata Strut)

Abstract

Alternative sources of plant nutrients have now become highly imperative especially for vegetable crop production in Nigeria. Due to the escalating costs, environmental and health problems associated with excessive use of inorganic fertilizers on continuously cropped fields, there is a need for more research on the use of organic manures and residues. A field experiment was conducted in the late growing season from September to December, 2012 in Calabar, a humid forest agroecology in south eastern Nigeria to evaluate the effects of two types of goat manure (GM) application (single and double split doses), five rates of GM (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha -1 ) and 400kg ha -1 NPK fertilizer (120:60:60 kg ha -1 ) rate on soil chemical properties and agronomic performance of sweet maize (Zea mays L. saccharata Strut). Factorial combinations of the treatments were fitted into a randomized complete block design with three replications. The application of GM significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased soil pH, organic matter (OM) content, total N, available P, exchangeable K, Ca, Mg and the cation exchange capacity (CEC) status of the soil. Soil exchangeable acidity (EA) was reduced from 1.76 to 0.64 cmol kg -1 at 20 t ha -1 GM rate. The 20 t ha -1 also recorded the highest values for soil pH, OM, P, Ca, Mg and CEC, while the values for residual N and K peaked at the NPK fertilizer treatment. The double split application of GM recorded higher values for growth and yield attributes, and increased soil properties than the single application. Growth and yield parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index (LAI), total dry matter (TDM), number and weight of grains/ear and total grain yield were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased by GM and NPK fertilizer treatments. The values obtained for all growth and yield parameters except LAI at the 20 t ha -1 GM rate were not significantly different from those at the NPK fertilizer treatments. The application of 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha -1 GM, and NPK fertilizer significantly increased TDM by 11.9, 74.3, 91.9, 106.2 and 104.6%; weight of grains/ear by 16.5, 54.6, 61.4, 100.6 and 94.4% and total grain yield by 46.9, 111.7, 121.0, 127.2 and 140.1% respectively, compared with the control treatment. The interactions between number of applications and rates showed that split applying GM at 20 t ha -1 maximized TDM, weights of whole and dehusked green ears and total grain yield compared to other GM rates, hence it is recommended.

The growth performance of sweet corn under the influence of animal manure, NPK and soil type

“…This might have been attributed to the chemical composition of the manures. This observation corroborated the findings by Uwah et al (2014) who reported that both poultry and goat manures improved chemical properties of the soil and enhanced the agronomic performance of sweet maize. Sweet corn leaf chlorophyll content was found to be higher under poultry and goat manures in this study.…”

Effect of Planting-Hole and Fertilizer on Salak (Salacca Zalacca) At Beginning Vegetative Phase

“…The oobservations were including plant length (cm), leaf lenght (cm), number of leaves, number of dead leaves, number of suckers, leaf maturation age (days) and tillers emerged age (week), which was observed in 4,6,8,10,12,14, and 16 WAP. Data of the Salak were recorded and subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the significant level of 5%.…”

“…Manure addition as backfill on the planting-hole intended to nourish the rooting space, so it can be easier to be absorbed by roots. [6] stated that organic fertilizers can improve soil structure, increase water absorption, increase the quantity of soil microorganism, and source of nutrients for plants. [7] stated that the function of goat manure were able to develop some nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur, cations and release P element from oxidation of Fe on soil and forming a complex compound with macro and micro elements, so the plant can reduce the leaching of the element contains.…”

The effect planting hole size and manure on vegetative growth of golden teak (Tectona grandis L.)

“…The use of organic fertilizer aims to improve the physical, biological and chemical properties of soil to grow roots quickly and freely move in the soil (Rahim, 2000). Uwah and Eyo (2014) also stated that the provision of manure gives a significant effect on maize in parameter plant height, number of leaves and stem diameter. The response is related to the nutrient content of manure hat can increase the soil absorption of the soil to water and helps the nutrient uptake of chemical fertilizers provided.…”