RESPONSE OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) VARIETIES TO MORINGA-BANANA PEEL-MAIZE STALK FERTILIZER AND GRAIN YIELD MODELLING

Abstract

<p><strong>Background</strong>. Low soil nutrient limit maize production in Nigeria, and inorganic fertilizer used in augmenting yield are expensive and hazardous.<strong> Objective.</strong> In search for a sustainable alternative, the effect of methods of application (foliar and incorporated) of different levels of moringa-banana peel-maize stalk fertilizer (MBPF) on the growth and yield of different maize varieties was investigated. <strong>Methodology.</strong> Pot and field experiments were conducted. Each experiment consisted of 2 x 4 x 6 factorial combinations. In the pot experiment, the treatments were laid out in CRD while RCBD was used in the field experiment. All treatments were replicated three times. Data collected on agronomic, aesthetic and yield traits were subjected to ANOVA using SAS 9.4 version. PCA was done, thereafter, structural equation model (SEM) was constructed, and GGE biplot used to cluster treatment interaction using GEA-R 4.1 version. <strong>Result.</strong> The results of both pot and field experiments had similar trend except that pot experiment had reduced height, poor phenotypic appeal and reduced grain yield. The result showed that mode of application, fertilizer treatments and maize varieties had significant (<em>p<0.05</em>) mean square for grain yield. 120N+50P+40K and 100N+40P+30K rate of MBPF applied to single cross hybrids (SCH) with grain yield of 1.85 t/ha clustered with standard national recommended rate of NPK fertilizer. Grain yield was in the order of SCH LY1312-11 > SCH check > Double-cross hybrid > Three-way hybrid > Top-cross hybrid > OPV-STR. <strong>Implication</strong>. MBPF was most effective when incorporated into the soil a week before planting. <strong>Conclusion</strong>. Therefore, MBPF at 120N+50P+40K and 100N+40P+30K are sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to inorganic fertilizer.</p>