Abstract

The experimental site was prepared and land used was 1,904 square feet (measuring 1706.88 by 1036.32 m). Varying rates (0.5, 1, and 1.5 kg) of three organic manures (palm kernel cake, bio char, Gliricidia sepium and poultry/chicken manure) were applied on maize variety DMR-ESR-yellow. The design was a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement with three replications, with a plot size of 4 by 4ft. Each plot consisted of four rows each with seven plant stands. The organic manures were applied one week before planting.  Maize was planted at 2 by 2ft using three seeds. Weeding were carried out at 3 and 6 weeks after planting (WAP). Results reveal that significant differences were observed for most of the traits by the application of different treatments in the study. Maximum plant height, stem girth, leaf number, leaf area, grain yield weight was obtained in the treatment where poultry manure (PM) was applied followed by the palm kernel cake (PKC) treatment. Quantitative increase of organic matter enhances water holding capacity of the soil which helps the nutrients mobility in soil. The study indicates that poultry manure is a valuable fertilizer whose use needs to be encouraged. An application rate of 1.5 kg/ha was capable of significantly increasing yields level over the control plot. The application of organic manure highly increases plant height, number of leaves, stem girth and weight of maize grain after harvest.

Key words: Biochar, Gliricidia sepium poultry manure.