Effects of Organic Wastes and their Combination with Inorganic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield Performance of Maize

Abstract

The potential of three (3) organic wastes solely and in combination with NPK (120:60:60) fertilizer was ascertained on the growth and yield of maize at the University of Ilorin Dam site, Ilorin, Kwara State. Randomized Complete Block design in split-plot arrangement was adopted using three treatments: Abattoir Effluent (AE), Poultry Droppings (PD), and Rice Husk (RH) at 0 (control), 10t/ha and 15t/ha with or without NPK having three (3) replicates. Results showed poultry that both sole organic waste and its combination with NPK significantly increased plant growth and yield. More importantly, the result obtained from this study showed that droppings at 10t/ha and 15t/ha+NPK (120:60:60) had a better positive effect on the growth and yield of maize than abattoir effluent and rice husk. Therefore, sole application of poultry droppings at 10t/ha is recommended for use by farmers in Ilorin, Kwara State due to the high cost associated with its combined use at 15t/ha+NPK (120:60:60) which gave the same result.