OPTIMIZING NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER WITH AND WITHOUT COW DUNG ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (Zea mays L) IN DIGIL-MUBI, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The research, optimizing nitrogenous fertilizer with and without cow dung on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in Digil-Mubi, Adamawa state, Nigeria, was conducted in Farm and skills acquisition center  Digil -Mubi, to determine the effects of nitrogenous fertilizer with and without cow dung on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in the area. Seeds of maize was obtained from the open market in Mubi. Complete randomized design (CRD) was used and replicated three times. The trials were conducted during the 2018 cropping season at Digil - Mubi, Mubi Local Government, Adamawa state, Nigeria. Located in the Northern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria. Digil - Mubi is situated between latitude 100 10’’ and 100 30’’ North of the Equator and between longitude 130 10 and 130 30’’ E of the Greenwich meridian and at an altitude of 696 m above mean sea level (MSL). The results obtained, showed that, there were significant differences at P< 0.05 in terms of yield between treatment two (30Kg N + 0 tone cow dung and 60Kg N + 5 ton cow dung. But there were no significant difference at P< 0.05 in terms of yield between 90Kg N + 5 tones cow dung and 120Kg N + 5 tones cow dung. However, luxuriant growth was observed in 120Kg N + 5 tones cow dung than the 90Kg N + 5 tones cow dung.  Similarly, there were no significant difference in yield in the control plot ( 0Kg N + 0 tone cow dung) and 30Kg N + 0 tone cow dung.  But the growth performance varies based on the treatment’s combinations. The results obtained from this study showed that, combined application of nitrogen and cow dung in Digil Locality resulted in higher growth, yield and changes in some soil chemical properties than sole application of each nutrient source in the study area. The results also reveals that, the application of  90Kg N + 5 tones of cow dung gave the highest yield of 2,928Kg/ha-1 while  120Kg N + 5 tones of cow dung gave the highest vegetative yield. The lowest grain of 1,796Kg-1 was obtained at  30Kg N + 0 tone of cow dung. The application of 90Kg N + 5 tones of cow dung is therefore recommended in Digil – Mubi and it surroundings for maximum yield and maintenance of soil fertility level in the area.