EFFECT OF COVER CROPPING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) IN OKHA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to assess the effect of cover cropping on soil properties, growth and yield of maize. The following fourtreatments were used in the experiment (i) Mucuna Pruriens, (ii) Centrocema Pubescens (iii)Citrullus Colocynthisand control. A total of sixteen plots were laid out and each plot was 2m x 2m.The treatments was laid out as randomized complete block design with four replicates. Also, the following data were collected as indicators on maize growth response: plant height, leaf area, leaf lengths, leaf width, number of leaf and yield. In addition, the effect of each cover crop on soil physical, micro and macro soil chemical properties were assessed using standardized laboratory procedures. The experiment was conducted for three months. All data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics and Analysis of variance (ANOVA), and means were separated using Least Significant difference (LSD) at 5% level of significant. The results indicated that there was significant difference at (p≥ 0.05) in both physical and chemical soil properties before and after planting at 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depths. Also, Mucuna had the highest impact on maize growth response at week 12 after planting, plant height (150.7a), leaf area (110.7a), leaf lengths (90.7a), number of leaf (12) and yield 100kg/ha Also, there was a significant correlation at 0.05% between cover crops and growth indicators exhibited by maize. Treatment 1(maize and Mucuna) had the highest yield (100kg/ha) followed by treatments 2, 3 and control 75kg/ha, 68.75kg/ha, 62.5kg/ha respectively. It could be recommended that farmers should be encouraged to plant Mucuna as cover crop to improve maize yield/ha for economic profit and soil improvement for better soil fertility.