RESPONSE OF GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) TO LIME INORGANIC AND ORGANIC FERTILIZER IN MOKWA, NIGER STATE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Proper integrated nutrient management is essential for plant growth, yield efficiency and soil health maintenance. A field trial was conducted to investigate the effect of lime, inorganic and organic fertilizer on growth and yield of maize on farmers’ field at Rabba, Mokwa, Local government area of Niger State. The field trial was conducted in the year 2021 (rainy season). The treatments consisted of lime, organic, and inorganic fertilizer combinations. T 1 : control (no input), T 2 : 300 kg ha -1 of NPK (OCP special blended NPK micro nutrient fortified fertilizer), T 3 : 0.5 t ha - 1 Agric.- lime + 300 kg ha -1 NPK (OCP special blended NPK ), T 4 : 0.5 t ha -1 Agric.- lime + 5 t ha -1 cow dung (organic) + 300 kg ha -1NPK (OCP special blended NPK), T 5 : 5 t -1 ha of cow dung + 300 kg ha -1NPK (OCP special blended NPK), arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three farmers’ field as replicates. The gross plot size was 6 m x 6 m (36 m 2 ). The leaf area, husk with cob weight, cob weight and grain yield were measured as at when due. The results showed that maize were significantly improved with application of lime, inorganic fertilizer and organic manure with respect to all parameters taken as compared to the control which had the lowest growth and yield parameters across the farmers field in the study area, therefore the application of 0.5 t ha -1 Agric.- lime + 300 kg ha -1 NPK (OCP inorganic blend) + 5 t ha -1 cow dung recorded the highest yield of maize in the study area.