Abstract

Author:
Dania Stephen Okhumata, Eniola Rita Idowu

Doi: 10.26480/jwbm.02.2022.64.67

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

The evaluation of the application compost – mineral fertilizer on maize was carried out in two locations (Ujemen and Emaudo) of the Teaching and Research Farm, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments, replicated thrice. The treatments were: 2, 4, 6 and 8 t ha-1 of compost mineral fertilizer, 300 kg ha-1NPK 15: 15: 15, Urea (200 kg ha-1) and the control. Growth parameters such as plant height, stem girth and leaf area were measured at 4, 5 and 6 weeks after planting, dry matter yield (DMY) and grain weight were taken at harvest. Data collected were statistically analysed using Genstat statistical package. In both locations, compost-mineral fertilizer applied at the rate of 6 and 8 t ha-1 significantly (p < 0.05) increased the growth, dry matter and grain yield of maize but not significantly different from each other. The application of compost – mineral fertilizer two weeks after planting significantly (p < 0.05) increased the yield of maize with yield value of 5. 65 t ha-1 compared to other application time. The grain yield values of 5.49 and 5.56 t ha-1 was obtained at Emaudo location and 5.69 and 5.78 t ha-1 at Ujemen with the application of 6 and 8 t ha-1 compost-mineral respectively. The application of compost – mineral fertilizer at the rate of 6 t ha-1. improved the soil fertility resulting to higher yield of maize.