MAIZE RESPONSE TO COWDUNG, NITROGEN AND SULPHUR FERTILIZATION AND EFFECT ON SOIL PROPERTIES IN A NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH ALFISOL OF NIGERIA

MAIZE RESPONSE TO COWDUNG, NITROGEN AND SULPHUR FERTILIZATION AND EFFECT ON SOIL PROPERTIES IN A NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH ALFISOL OF NIGERIA

Abstract:

A study was conducted in Samaru to investigate maize response to cowdung, nitrogen and sulphur fertilization and effect on soil properties in a northern Guinea savanna Alfisol of Nigeria. The objectives of the study were: to determine effect of complementary application of N, S and cowdung (CD) on growth and yield of maize in a savanna soil; assess the mineralization characteristics of cowdung amendment and to test efficiency of QUEFT model in simulating yield of maize in response to application of the full recommended rates of N, P and K fertilizers in a savanna soil. In order to achieve the stated objectives, a three – phased experimentation was set up, which comprised of a laboratory incubation study, greenhouse study and a field trial. Nitrogen was applied at the rate of 0, 60 and 120 kg N/ha as urea, sulphur was applied at the rate of 0, 15 and 30 kg S/ha as gypsum while cowdung was applied at the rate of 0, 5 and 10 ton/ha, resulting in 27 treatments with 3 replicates. The laboratory incubation and greenhouse studies were conducted in a Completely Randomized Design while the field trial was implemented using the Randomized Complete Block Design. The results showed that there was a significant increase in CO2 fluxes with 10 ton/ha CD relative to half its rate and manure mineralization rate was higher (P < 0.01) with N than sulphur. Also, the amount of NH4+ and NO3- mineralized at the end of incubation increased (P < 0.01) with increase in N, S and CD rates. Growth parameters in both green house and field trials responded significantly (P < 0.01) to the amendments, indicating a positive influence on plant vigour. Grain yield, stover and cob weight increased significantly compared to the control and also had a positive correlation with growth parameters. Mean grain yield derived from the QUEFT model in the three years of field experiment was 1896.3 kg/ha from the unfertilized plot and 12,000 kg/ha from the fertilized plot. Soil pH, sulphur, nitrogen and organic carbon increased significantly with increase in CD rates indicating positive effect of manure on soil fertility. The combination of N with S and cowdung significantly increased grain yield by 45% compared to the control, indicating that soil fertility had significantly improved through the amendment. Therefore, sulphur application is required to enhance use efficiency of N in the soil towards increased and sustainable maize production in a northern Guinea savanna soil of Nigeria.

MAIZE RESPONSE TO COWDUNG, NITROGEN AND SULPHUR FERTILIZATION AND EFFECT ON SOIL PROPERTIES IN A NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH ALFISOL OF NIGERIA

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