EFFECTS OF POULTRY MANURE AND MORINGA LEAF EXTRACT ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (Zea mays)

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during 2024 growing season at the Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State (latitude 10⁰ 8' N and 10⁰ 30'N to longitude 13⁰10' E and 13⁰ 25' E at an altitude of 696 m above sea level) to assess the effects of poultry manure and moringa leaf extract on the growth and yield of maize. The treatments comprised of four levels of poultry manure: 0 (control), 4, 6 and 8 tones/ha and four spraying regimes of Moringa leaf extract (MLE): 0 (control), once, twice and thrice. The treatments were laid out in a split-plot design replicated three times. The moringa leaf extract was assigned to the main plots, while poultry manure to sub-plots. Data were collected on plant height (cm), number of leaves/plant, cobs diameter (mm), cobs length (cm), number of grains/cob, number of grains/column,1000 grain weight (g) and grain yield (ton/ ha). Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of probability using statistical analysis soft ware system (SAS, 2010) package. The study showed that growth and yield parameters of maize were significantly influenced by poultry manure and moringa leaf extract. All the growth and yield parameters increased with increasing rates of poultry manure applications and spraying regimes of moringa leaf extract Application of poultry manure at a rate of8 tons/ha recorded the highest grain yield (8.12tons/ha). Similarly, foliar spray of MLE at three (3) regimes recorded highest grain yield (7.44 tons/ha). There was significant interaction between poultry manure and moringa leaf extracts on grain yield (7.76 tons/ha). Their combinations were found to be promising and are hereby recommended for the study area.