growth and yield of maize as influence by n.p.k rate in bali lga, taraba state

Description

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth and yield performance of maize (Zea mays) variety as influenced by different doses of chemical fertilizer (NPK) in Bali LGA, Taraba State. The field experiment was conducted at the Bali Dry Season Irrigation Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, Taraba State College of Agriculture The field experiment comprised of five (5) treatments which was replicated three times and laid out. Field experiment were made to estimate the effect of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer on the growth and yield of maize were conducted over a two year period. NPK fertilizer applications significantly increase plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation and yield. The optimum level of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer for successful production of maize grains was excellent.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0      INTRODUCTION

1.1      background of the study

1.2      problem statement

1.3      significance of the study

1.4      aim and objectives of the study

CHAPTER TWO

2.0     LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1      Origin, Classification and Botany of Maize

2.2      Importance and Uses of Maize

2.3      N.P.K Fertilizer

2.4      Pests and Diseases of Maize

CHAPTER THREE

3.0     MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1      Experimental Site

3.2      Experimental Design

3.3      Source of Materials

3.4      Cultural Practices

3.5      Data Collection

3.6      Data Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULT ANALYSIS

4.0      RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0      Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1      Summary

5.2     Conclusion

5.3      Recommendations

REFERENCES

 

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                            INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Maize (Zea mays) ranks third after wheat and rice in the world grain production. It is grown extensively with equal success in temperate, sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world (Anonymous, 2009 – 10). It belongs to the grass family of Gramineae and originated from Central America, where it is known as corn (Gordon and Whitney, 1993). It is believed that maize was introduced into Africa and West Africa by the Portuguese at the beginning of the 16^th Century (Onwueme, 1976). Its grains, which serve as food, feed as well as industrial raw materials contain carbohydrate in form of starch up to 80% and crude protein up to 10% (Mangel, 1978).

Maize crop is a key source of food and livelihood for millions of people in many countries of the world. It is produced extensively in Nigeria, where it is consumed roasted, baked, fried, pounded or fermented (Agbato, 2003). In advance countries, it is an important source of many industrial products such as corn sugar, corn oil, corn flour, starch, syrup, brewer’s grit and alcohol (Dutt, 2005). Corn oil is used for salad, soap-making and lubrication. Maize is a major component of livestock feed and it is palatable to poultry, cattle and pigs as it supplies them energy (Iken et al, 2001). The stalk, leave, grain and immature ears are cherished by different species of livestock (Dutt, 2005) in spite of the increasing relevance and high demand for maize in Nigeria, yield across the country continues to decrease with an average of about it/ha which is lowest African yield ( Fayenisin, 19930).

According to Sridhar and Adeoye (2003), maize has a fibrous rough system which has seminal and prop root in the soil stem, stalk which are solid unbranched and herbaceous where ear bearing branches are formed. Maize can supply human requirement for iron when largely consumed (Gordon and Whitney, 1993). Fertilizer play an important role in increasing the maize yield and their contribution is 40-50 percent. Balanced and optimum use of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium fertilizer play a pivotal role in increasing yield of cereals (Asghar et al, 2010).

Cereal crops are influenced by N fertilizer in many ways, firstly it increases N supply and helps/results in canopy (leaf area index, LAI) and (leaf area duration, LAD), which ultimately results in high rates of dry its amounts can also affect the growth of the plants. Thirdly, late and or heavy N application may result in grain unacceptable to industry because of their high N/protein contents (Uyovbisere, 2000). Therefore, in this way quality and quantity of grain is also influenced by fertilizer application finally fertilized.

It was also found that deficiency or excess of N affects the partitioning of assimilates between vegetative and reproductive organs (Donald and Hamblin, 2006). By increasing N supply, leaf area index, leaf area duration photosynthetic radiation interception and radiation use efficiency also increase (Muchow and Davis, 1988; Sinclair and Horic, 1989 and Cannor et al, 2012).

Among the limiting factors, proper level and ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are of prime importance (Asghar et al, 2010). 2.   The steady decline in maize yield can be attributed to: rapid reduction in soil fertility caused by intensive use of land and reduction of fallow period as reported by. Failure to identify and plant high yielding varieties most suited or adapted to each agro-ecological zone (Kim, 1997, Olakojo et al; 1998) Use of inappropriate plant population and final yield (Zeidan et al; 2006). Negligence for soil amendment such as organic manure and inorganic fertilizers which improve soil condition and enhance crop yield.

1.2 Problem Statement

Fertilizer has been known to increase plant growth and yield for a long time ago, but the best macro elements and the required ratio was not properly understood, as various brand of NPK fertilizers in market are been recommended to the local farmers by the extension agents. The ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous of potassium that the plant required must be investigated upon.

1.3 Significance of the Study

This research work will be able to provide the farmers with the best ratio of N.P.K fertilizer for maize production in the Bali area and the state at large so that the farmers will know the best composition of N.P.K fertilizer to purchase for maize production.

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the study include:

1. to identify the effects of N.P.K fertilizers on the growth and yield of maize in Bali
2. to determine which ratio of N.P.K fertilizer that gives the optimum growth and yield of maize in Bali

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Summary.

The study on the performance of maize as influenced by N. P. K fertilizers application in Bali was conducted during the 2016 dry season framing at the Bali Irrigation Teaching and Research farm of the Department of Crop Science Taraba State college of Agriculture, Bali. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design comprising of five treatments which are replicated three times. Data were collected on sampled plant on the following parameters, plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem girth, leaf length, leaf width, number of cob per plant, grain yield per plot and 100 seed weight. Data collected was subjected to the analysis of variance and means were separated using least significant difference. The results obtained revealed that treatment 5 (N.P.K 15:15:15) produced the tallest plant, widest stem, longest leaf, widest leaf, number of cob per plant and the heaviest grain yield per plot. Significant difference existed among most of the treatments studied.

5.2 Conclusion.

Based on the results obtained it can be concluded that the application of N.P.K fertilizer has effect on the growth and yield of maize in the areas and the application of N.P.K 15:15:15 proved to have a tremendous effect on the growth and yield  parameters of  maize in Bali.

5.3 Recommendations

1. Based on the results the following recommendations were made.
2. The application of N.P.K 15:15:15 fertilizer should be applied for maize production in Bali.

• The government should subsidize the price of fertilizer to enable the farmer purchase and application.

The study should be conducted over a number of periods to ascertain the stability of the result.