EFFECT OF POULTRY MANURE, COW DUNG AND URBAN WASTE ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) IN BAUCHI L.G.A, BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
The study examined the effects of poultry manure, cow dung, and urban waste on the growth and yield performance of maize (Zea mays L.) in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria. The experiment was conducted at the ACReSAL Biological Garden, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised poultry manure, cow dung, urban waste at the rate of 10 t/ha, and a control without manure application. The maize variety SAMMAZ 52 was planted on 2 × 3 m plots at a spacing of 75 × 50 cm. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, days to 50% tasseling and silking, cob length, kernel number, 100-grain weight, and grain yield. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) among the treatments. Poultry manure produced the tallest plants (167.3 cm at 12 weeks), highest leaf area (22.43 cm²), and greatest grain yield (2,833.20 kg/ha). The control consistently recorded the lowest performance in all measured parameters. It was concluded that poultry manure improved maize growth and yield more effectively than cow dung or urban waste. Hence, the study recommended the application of poultry manure at 10 t/ha for sustainable soil fertility and enhanced maize productivity in Bauchi.
Keywords: Cow dung, growth, maize, poultry manure, urban waste, yield
Full-Text Access Notice
In accordance with the NERD Policy on promoting peer-reviewed publication, public access to the full text of a project, thesis or dissertation is restricted for three years, allowing the author and supervisors sufficient time to pursue peer-reviewed publication.
During this period, researchers with legitimate academic or research purposes may request authorisation directly from the author to enable NERD to release the indexed full texts of the work using the form below.