Growth and Yield Responses of Maize to Partial Substitution of Inorganic Nitrogen with Farm Yard Manure at Gidan-Kwano

Abstract

Maize is the third most important cereal in the world, next to rice and wheat. It is the most heavily cultivated cereal crop globally. A number of factors are responsible for the low yield of maize crop, among which fertilizer is key. This study was specifically carried out in 2019 farming season to determine the variations in growth and yield response of maize to partial substitution of inorganic nitrogen with farm yard manure at Gidan Kwano. The treatment consisted of the following combinations: (T1; 0% recommended nitrogen with 0% FYM), (T2; 25% recommended nitrogen with 75% FYM), (T3; 50% recommended nitrogen with 50% FYM), (T4; 75% recommended nitrogen with 25% FYM), (T5; 100% recommended nitrogen with 0% FYM), (T6; 0% recommended nitrogen with 100% FYM). The treatment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Result of the study showed that plant height of maize was significantly affected by the treatment application, while number of leaves, leaf area and stalk girth showed a non-significant response. The result also showed that there was significant (P<0.05) differences among the treatments for days to 50% tasseling and days to 50% silking. Significant differences was recorded for cob dry weight, number of seeds per cob, 100 seed weight and total grain yield with the application of 50% N+50%FYM and 75%N+25%FYM. It is concluded based on the findings of the study that the integration or partial substitution of inorganic nitrogen and farm yard manure performed better than the use of inorganic nitrogen source or farm yard manure alone. The application of 50% N+50%FYM and 75%N+25%FYM is suggested for farmers in Gidan Kwano