Abstract
Two field experimental were carried out at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training from 1998 – 1999 to evaluate the potential of maize (MS), Guinea grass (GG), and Cowpea (CS) residues as fertilizer for maize production. Three compost types namely MS + poultry manure (P.M); GG + PM and CS + PM were produced and used for the experiment. The treatment consisted of four rates of each of these compost types (0,2,4 and 6t ha1) with the recommendation rate of 400kg.ha-1 NPK 15:15:15 for the test crop as a check. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications. Data were collected on growth parameters (stem length, girth number of leaves,, leave area and dry matter per plant); yield attributes, nutrient (N.P.K) uptake at teaseling, as well as post cropping soil chemical properties. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance as described by Gomes (1984) and the significant means were sparated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% probability level. The results obtained showed significant effect of compost types on most of the parameters considered. Application of MS + MS compost produce the tallest plants (232.0cm), which is significantly better than other compost types and compared favourably with the height obtained with the use of 400kg ha-1 N.P.K fertilizer. The best grain yield, 3.9t ha-1 was obtained with application of 4t ha-1 compost. This is similar to 3.7 and 3. It ha-1 grain yield obtained with the use of 6t ha-1 compost and N.P.K 15:15:15 fertilizer respectively. Application of 4t ha-1 compost also produced the best grain yield for the residual experimental in 1999. The interaction between compost type and rate produced significant effect on all the parameter taken in most results and compared favourably with application of 400kg ha-1 N.P.K 15:15:15. Application of 4t ha-1 of any MS + PM and GG + PM compost could therefore recommended for maize production.
Keywords: Residue management, Compost, organic fertilizer, NPK fertilizer, Maize