Influence of Tithonia Diversifolia on Maize (Zea mays L.) Yield, Fertility and Infiltration Status of Two Clay Varied Soils

Abstract

Towards a more sustainable soil management through recycling of readily available weeds in Akure, Nigeria, different rates of Tithonia diversifolia (tithonia) were compared on a field trial to evaluate its effect on soil properties. The experiment was sited at two locations in South gate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Prior to the field establishment, a composite soil sample was collected and analyzed for physico-chemical properties. The sites were cleared and tilled. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The treatments consisted of three levels of tithonia application which are 0, 3 and 6 t ha-1. Each experimental unit size was 2 m x 2 m with 1 m alleyway. Maize (Zea mays L. var.TZB-SR) seeds were sown at a spacing of 75 cm by 25 cm and 10 were randomly sampled per plot for growth and yield parameters. Data were collected on maize yield and soil physical and chemical properties after harvest to ascertain sustainability of the mulch material after cropping. Application of tithonia mulch improved growth, and yield indices of maize as well as soil physical and chemical properties. The contents of soil total N, exchangeable cations, , CEC, Organic matter content, total porosity, moisture content and infiltration rate were found to significantly (p>0.05) increase in treatments with tithonia mulch. The best result was from the application rate 6 tha-1 because it improved and left the soil conserved after harvesting maize. Similar trends were observed at the two sites despite variation in inherent soil properties.

Response of Soil Microbial Community (Bacteria and Fungi) to Organic and Inorganic Amendments Using Tomato as a Test Crop

“…The result from the table showed that all treatments increased the exchangeable bases. This result correlates with the findings of Adeleye et al (2010), Ayeni and Ezeh (2017), Kobierski et al (2017), Dayo-Olagbende et al (2020), and Adekiya et al (2020) who stated that the application of amendments increases the exchangeable bases in the soil. The application of amendments significantly reduced the exchangeable acidity of the soil.…”

“…Green manure has a lot of benefits for the soil, which range from soil organic carbon enhancement, soil health improvement, high agronomic productivity (Hafifah et al, 2016), soil microbial biomass enhancement, and activity enhancement (Larkin, 2013). Tithonia diversifolia from the Asteraceae family, used as green manure due to its high nutritional composition, has proven effective in improving soil fertility (Hafifah et al, 2016), the physical properties of soil (Dayo-Olagbende et al, 2020; Hafifah et al, 2016), and crop yield (Babajide et al, 2012).…”

Phosphorus availability and exchangeable aluminum response to phosphate rock and organic inputs in the Central Highlands of Kenya

“…The biomass of Tithonia diversifolia has great nutrient content and is capable of extracting a high amount of nutrients from the soil ( Olabode et al, 2007 ). Its biomass is an effective source of nutrients and has been widely used in annual crops such as rice, maize ( Dayo-Olagbende et al, 2020 ; Kang et al, 2020 ). Its adaptability to a wide range of agro-ecological conditions, fast growth rate, and very high vegetative turnover make it suitable as a soil organic input ( Kiptot, 2008 ; Partey et al, 2011 ).…”

Pattern of N Mineralization and Nutrient Uptake of Tithonia diversifolia and Saccharum officinarum Leaves in Sandy Loam Soil

“…Tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia) have a fast growth cycle, high nitrogen fixation capacity and P content (Scrase et al, 2019). T. diversifolia is used as green manure because this plant contains macro and micronutrients that can improve soil fertility (Dayo-Olagbende et al, 2019). T. diversifolia can increase growth and yields of sweet corn (Hidayat et al, 2017).…”