Effects Of Poultry Manure On Growth And Yield Of Improved Maize In Asaba Area of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 to evaluate the effects of poultry Manure on growth and yield of improved maize (Suwan -1-SR) in Asaba area of Delta State. The experiments were carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Four rates of poultry manure were applied –O tha-1, 10 tha-1, 20 tha-1 and 30 tha-1. Data collected from the 4th to the 8th week after sowing were plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area. At the end of the 16th week, grain weight and number of grains/cob of maize were evaluated. The results obtained indicated that plants that received 30 tha-1 of poultry manure were superior at 8 weeks after sowing in 2008 and 2009, with mean height of 209.3 cm, mean number of leaves of 13.1, mean leaf area of 682.6 cm2, mean grain weight at 16 weeks after sowing of 2.14 tha-1 and mean number of grains/cob of 518.4 in 2008 and 2009. Based on the findings of the study, 30 tha-1 of poultry manure was recommended to farmers as most appropriate rate of application to enhance growth and yield of maize in Asaba area of Delta State