Growth and Yield Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Integrated Nutrient Management of Chicken Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer in Different Agroecological Zones of Ghana.

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at two different locations at Asante Mampong in the Mampong municipal during the minor season in 2019 (September – November 2019) and at Damongo in the West Gonja district during the major season in 2019 (Nay – July 2019). The objective was to determine the effect of integrated nutrient management of chicken manure and inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield of maize in different agroecological zones of Ghana. The experimental design used for the study was a 2 x 5 factorial experiment arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The factors were two maize varieties (Abontem and Obatanpa) and four fertilizer rates and the control (without amendment). The fertilizer treatments were: 3 t/ha chicken manure (CM), 250 kg/ha NPK (15:15:15), 1.5 t/ha CM + 125 kg/ha NPK, 2.25 t/ha CM + 62.5 kg/ha NPK, and Control (without amendment). The results showed that Abontem maize variety was earliest to tassel, silk and to mature. Similarly, Abontem produced the greatest number of leaves per plant, dry root weight, highest cobs per plot, longest cob length, and highest seeds per cob. However, the highest plant height and grain yield was recorded by Obatanpa maize variety. For fertilizer application, the combination of 1.5 t/ha Chicken manure + 125 t/ha kg/ha NPK fertilizer was superior in yield. Generally, Asante Mampong outperformed Damongo in terms of maize growth and yield. It is therefore recommended that, farmers should cultivate Abontem maize variety with the application of 1.5 t/ha CM + 125 kg/ha NPK fertilizer for optimum maize growth and yield.