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Improvement of Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) by Poultry Manure, Maize Variety and Plant Population

Abstract Soils of the savannah zones of Nigeria are low in plant nutrients and peasant farmers; therefore, rely on external inputs in the form of organic and inorganic manure for sustainable yield. They also sow their seeds at suboptimal plant population density, thereby providing opportunity for weeds to thrive. Moreover, farmers use saved seeds from the previous cropping season for planting, which often results in low yield. A study was conducted to assess the growth and yield of two maize cultivars under the influence of organic fertilizer and plant population density. Treatments used were factorial combinations of three levels of poultry manure (0, 2.5, 5.0 t/ha), two population densities (95,556 and 53,333 plants/ha) and two maize varieties (DMR-ESR-Y and Suwan-1-SR). Data were collected on number of leaves, plant height, leaf area, stem girth, root and shoot dry weight, total dry weight, days to tasseling, days to silk appearance, grain yield per hectare, number of seeds per cob, seed rows per cob, weight of 100 seeds and shelling percentage. The results revealed significant improvement (p≤ 0.05) in all parameters examined, when 5 t/ha poultry manure was applied to Suwan-1-SR at density 53,333 plants/ha. However, there was marginal difference between 5 and 2.5 t/ha in grain production. Therefore, application of 2.5 t/ha poultry manure for production of Suwan-1-SR maize variety at plant density 53,333 plants/ha could be used for getting optimum yield, that can feed the growing population of maize consumers coupled with better straw production for animal feed.