PLANT RESIDUES AS NUTRIENTS SOURCES: EFFECT ON MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted between 2016-2018 planting seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology Akure, and Aule Fadama Pilot Farm, belonging to Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture, Akure in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State. The objectives of the study were to evaluate ‘Plant residues as nutrients sourc2q es; effect on maize (Zea mays L.) performance’. The first experiment studied the effects of three plant residue (Tithonia diversifolia (Td), Cocao pod husk (CPH), and Gliricidia sepium (GS)) applied at 0, 4, and 8 t ha-1 on growth and yield performance of two maize varieties (IWPGSYNF2 and Oba super 2 (hybrid) and soil nutrient contents at both site (FUTA and Aule), respectively. The experiment was a 3 x 3 x 2 factorial combinations laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The second trial studied the effect of composted plant residue applied at 0, 4, and 8 t ha-1 and inorganic (NPK) fertilizer used as standards on growth, and yield performance of maize varieties and soil properties. The experiment was also a 3 x 3 x 2 factorial combinations laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil physico-chemical properties were determined weeks before and after planting. Weather records from FUTA Meteorological units were collected for the three years. Growth parameters such as: numbers of leaves, number of roots, girth size, plant length, plant weight or biomass, area of leaves and yield parameters: 1000 grain weight, weight of shoot plus sheath, were all determined using necessary units and measurements. The results from experiment one showed that tithonia, cocoa pod husk and gliricidia residues significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced maize growth and yield and equally improves the quality of the soil. Significant higher growth and yield of maize were obtained as the rate of application of the different residues increases (8 t/ha > 4 t/ha > 0 t/ha); tithonia residue however gave better performance in terms of growth, and yield than gliricidia and cocoa pod husk, respectively. Results from experiment two also showed that as the rate of the composted plant residue increases, higher growth and yield of maize were enhanced; when compared with the standard NPK applied at 200 kg/ha, better growth and yield were obtained in plots treated with 8 t/ha of composted plant residue at the two experimental sites. On soil physical properties, the application of composted plant residue of CPH, T.d and G.S greatly increased the bulk density, water holding capacity, maintain soil texture and increase soil nutrients. At the end of the experiment, plant residue and fertilizer (N.P.K) used for the experiment irrespective of rates significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced growth parameters and dry matter yield (DMY). Nutrients uptake of maize and nutrient content in the soil under the field layout at both sites were much better at Aule Fadama farm.