Comparative Analysis of Different Fertilizers Effects on Maize Growth Parameters

Abstract

Lower soil fertility was identified as a major problem affecting crop yield in Burundi, especially at Bihunge, a hill of Matongo commune Kayanza province. An experiment was therefore carried out with five treatments to assess the effective and economically affordable treatment on maze growth parameters improvement. The experimental has considered five treatments: the control (T1); Compost from maize residues + mineral adjuvant (T2); Compost from maize residues + organic adjuvant based on Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn (T3); ISABU formula for maize fertilization (T4); the maize compost + Calliandra + recommended mineral fertilization for maize (T5)), in randomized complete blocks with three replications for each. The recorded parameters were the leaves number, plant height, stem girth as well as the leaf area. After analysis with SPSS and Advanced Excel, results showed a significant difference between treatments. The treatment T4 was the most effective in improving all growth parameters than others and showed a significant difference from treatments T1, T2, and T3. However, it did not differ to treatment T5 which also significantly differed from other treatments with P<0.05. Treatment T5 has also effectively enhanced the leaves number, plant height, stem girth, and leaf area as treatment T4, and was in the same variation range as this treatment T4. As the effectiveness of T5 was based on the combination of calliandra which has more potential in improving soil fertility and nutrient followed by better fostering of nutrients to the plant leading to better-improved plant growth, this treatment was considered as the effective and farmer accessible treatment for maize cultivation.

Yield Responses of Maize (Zea maysL.) and Successive Potato (Solanum tuberosumL.) Crops to Maize Stover co-compostedwith Calliandra CalothyrsusMeisn Green Manure

“…Significant effects (p < 0.001) of tested fertilizer treatments were observed for maize grain yields (GY), above ground biomass (AGB) and root biomass (RB). Maize yields followed a decreasing order: T 4 (5 777 kg/ha) ≈ T 5 ( In a previous paper on this specific investigation topic based on growth parameters [62], it was reported that the best treatments T 4 (farm manure+45-60-30) and T 5 (maize stover co-composted with Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn green manure+45-60-30) were not significantly different from each other. However, they were significantly superior to T 1 (Control), T 2 (maize stover co-composted with mineral fertilizers and T 3 (maize stover co-composted with Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn green manure).…”

“…Generally, pH values situated between 6 and 8 are indicative of mature compost [62]. Immature compost with low pH values contain higher concentrations of phytotoxic organic acids with the risks of adversely decreasing crop germination and plant growth [33].…”

The application of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and Organic Matters from Black Soldier Fly Larva Culture, Calliandra, Cocopeat in the Pre-nursery Oil Palm Seedling

“…Research on Calliandra compost shows that Calliandra is one of the plants that has the ability to fix nitrogen better than other legum plants [30]. Research in maize shows that Calliandra humus is able to increase maize yields [31].…”