EFFECT OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC AMENDMENTS ON SOIL PRODUCTIVITY AND YIELD OF MAZE (Zeamays L) ON AN ULTISOL IN ABAKALIKI, SOUTH EAST NIGERIA
J. E. Orji
Department of Soil Science and Environmental
Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
Email: nacfarms@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The agronomic potential of organic and inorganic fertilizers as soil amendments was evaluated. The objective was to determine their effect on soil physicochemical properties and grain yield. The experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. The field was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) comprising NPK 15:15:15 (NPK) poultry droppings (PD), cow dung (CD), unburnt rice husk (UBRH) and control (C) replicated four times. The amendments were applied at the rate of 0.3tha-1, 5t ha -15t ha -1 and 5t ha -1 for NPK, PD, CD and UBRH respectively. The test crop used was Oba super II (Maize variety). Results of the study showed that bulk density, total porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention aggregate stability were significantly (P<0.05) higher in poultry droppings (PD) amended plots compared to control (C). Soil pH, total N, effective Cation exchange capacity, exchangeable acidity and percent base saturation were significantly (P<0.05) higher in plots amended with poultry droppings (PD) compared to control (C). Results also showed that the plot amended with PD had the highest grain yield of maize. The yield increase in amended plots was in the order of PD>NPK>CD>UBRH>C. Therefore, poultry droppings applied at the rate of 5t ha– could be recommended for the rural farmers for improved soil productivity in Abakaliki south east Nigeria.
Keywords: Organic, inorganic, amended, soil nutrient, maize, yield.
