Effects of NPK, Bio-Fertilizers and Manures on Growth of Maize (Zea mays L.) and Soil Nutrients Content in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

A pot experiment was carried out at screen house, Faculty of Agriculture University of Maiduguri to compare the effect of NPK, bio-fertilizers and manures applications on growth and nutrient uptake by maize. The experiment consisted of 9 treatments of combined application of NPK at half and full recommended rates for maize, Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas fluorescence biofertilizers and cow dung and poultry manures and replicated three times in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Result of the treatment having half recommended dose of NPK, biofertilizers and poultry manure recorded the highest plant height at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after planting (95.19 cm, 148.63 cm, 149.63 cm, respectively) the highest total shoot and root fresh and dry weights (74.40 g, 196.93 g, 28.83 g, 46.93 g/plant, respectively). Higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents of the soil (2.76 g/kg N 0.13 mg/kg P2O5 and 1.41 Cmol/kg K2Osoil) were also recorded with the above treatments.

Hill-placement of manure and fertilizer for improving maize nutrient- and water-use efficiencies in the northern Benin

“…In fact, nutrient application from organic and inorganic sources leads to better nutrients availability and further enhanced the nutrient content in the plants’ stover and grain [ 59 ]. Muazu and Uyovbisere [ 60 ] also reported that manure can boost nutrient uptake; and previous have highlighted that the combined application of nutrients from organic and inorganic source improves N, P and K uptake [ 61 , 62 ].…”