Lack of proper knowledge on the type and exact quantity of manure required by crops are among the major constraints to maize production in Maiduguri. Thus a pot experiment was carried out in the screen house of University of Maiduguri to assess the effects of sources and rates of manure suitable for optimum maize production in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. The experiment was established as completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 manure treatments, 3 rates plus 3 controls (no manure), replicated 3 times. The results showed that, yield and nutrient uptake of maize was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced by treatments at 21 and 42 days after planting (DAP). Cow manure treatment on average, produced the best of growth, yield and nutrient uptake (N,P, and K uptake) of maize compared to other treatments. Also, on average, values of most parameters in the 10 and 20 t/ha rates were statistically similar or higher than those of 30 t/h/ha. However, 10t/ha rate is considered more appropriate as it produces same effects as those of 20t/ha rates. From the results, it can be concluded that application of 10t/ha cow manure is adequate for optimum maize production in Maiduguri, NorthEastern Nigeria.
The contrasts observed in soil tillage research studies documented the need for more research in many regions of the world if the mechanics of tillage effects on soil physical properties is to be well understood. Thus, the effect of three tillage systems: no-tillage (NT), reduce tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT) on the physical properties of a sandy loam soil in Maiduguri, Nigeria was investigated after 9-15 years of management. During the growing season of 2010, triplicate undisturbed core samples (5.5 cm in diameter and 4 cm height) were obtained at two soil depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm), for determination of volumetric (Өv) moisture content, bulk density (Bd), and total porosity (TP) of the soil at selected dates, while soil penetration resistance (PR) was determined using hand held digital penetrometer. Tillage systems significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected Bd and TP of the soil at two of the four sampling dates. The RT treatment recorded highest Bd and lowest TP at (0-15 cm) depth across most sampling dates, while at (15-30 cm) soil depth, the CT and RT treatments maintained higher Bd. Soil PR was significantly influenced by tillage systems only at the surface (0-15 cm) soil depth. The NT treatment recorded significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher PR while the RT treatment recorded the least. Further, significant (p ≤ 0.05) tillage treatment effects on the Өv content of the soil was observed at both surface (0-15 cm) and sub surface (15-30 cm) soil depths. The NT and RT treatments, on average, recorded higher values of Өv relative to the CT treatment. Soil organic carbon (OC) and aggregate stability in water (MAW, ASC, DR and WSI) were found to correlate (p < 0.05) well with Өv content of the soil for most sampling dates particularly a surface soil layer. The study revealed that, the NT and RT treatments promotes better physical quality of the soil relative to the CT treatment. It ishowever recommended that, other reduced tillage systems suc h as animal traction and ridgetillage be tried to assess their efficacy of improving soil physical q uality.
This work was carried out in collaboration between all authors. Author MH invented the idea, designed and make the overall supervision of the research. Authors MA and SAL conducted and reviewed the statistical analysis respectively. Authors MMS, IA and NGH conducted both the field and laboratory work of the research.
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