Granite Dusts and Poultry Manure Effects on Growth Performance and Yield of Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Abstract

Poultry manure is rich in organic manure since solid and liquid wastes are excreted together and there is no urine loss. Comparative studies of the effects of various rates of granite dust and poultry manure were tested on maize performance in field trials at Akure, Nigeria between 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons.  The treatments involved were: Control(No treatment application), 2tha¹ granite dust; 3tha¹ poultry manure + 0.5tha¹ granite dust; 2tha1 poultry manure + 1tha1 granite dust; 1tha1 poultry manure+ 1.5tha1 granite dust; 4tha1 poultry manure and 200kgha1 of NPK fertilizer. Agronomic parameters observed on maize at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12weeks after planting were plant height, stem girth, number of leaves.  At harvest, cob weight, plant biomass, grains weight per cob and husk weight were also measured. Equally, the ratio of root to stem and leaf of maize were investigated. It was found out that application combined application of granite dust and poultry manure improved the growth and yield quality of maize compared with the control. Maize treated with 3tha¹ poultry manure + 0.5tha¹ granite dust promote the growth and yield parameter of maize  to a level of the standard recommended fertilizer rate of 200kgha¹ of NPK fertilizer in the ecological zone of the southwestern Nigeria.

Keywords: Poultry manure, granite dusts, agronomic parameters, ratio, promote