The effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the production of maize in Minna, southern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria

Ederigbe, R.; Eleojo, S.F.; Ezekiel-Adewoyin, D.; Osunde, A.O.

doi:10.21608/svuijas.2024.287749.1367

The effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the production of maize in Minna, southern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Soil Science and Land Management, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

10.21608/svuijas.2024.287749.1367

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of sole organic and inorganic fertilizers and combinations of both on maize production under rain-fed farming conditions during the 2023 cropping season on four farmers’ fields around Minna in Niger State, Nigeria. The treatments consisted of five (5) nutrient combinations: T1 = Control (No fertilizer Input), T2 = NPK (15:15:15) only, at the rate of 150 kg ha^-1 representing farmers’ usual practice in the area, T3 = Office Chérefien des phosphates (OCP) special blend NPK (20:10:5+1Zn +2Ca) fertilizer {OCP (NPK)}at the manufacturer’s recommended rate of 600 kg ha^-1, T4 = Cow dung (CD) at the rate of 5 t ha^-1, T5 = CD (2.5 t ha^-1) + NPK (15:15:15) at the rate of 75 kg ha^-1, T6 = CD (2.5 t ha^-1) + OCP (NPK) fertilizer at the rate of rate of 300 kg ha^-1. The experiment was laid down in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with each of the 4 farmers’ fields serving as a replicate. Soil analysis revealed moderately to slightly acidic pH levels with low levels of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), Nitrogen (N), and Phosphorus (P) across all fields. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in plant height and Leaf Area Index (LAI) between each of the fertilizer treatments and the unfertilized (control) treatment at different weeks after planting.
Though there were no statistically significant differences between the NPK (15:15:15), OCP (NPK) treatments and their combinations with CD, the OCP (NPK) sole treatment nevertheless consistently resulted in the tallest plants, largest LAI, heaviest average seed weight and the highest maize yield at full maturity (1.92 t ha^-1), demonstrating a significant improvement over the untreated control and the sole cow dung treatments. These findings suggest that proper combinations of mineral fertilizers, such as OCP (NPK), and organic amendments, like cow dung, can lead to sustainable maize production under rain-fed farming conditions in the study area. Integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers in agricultural systems can contribute to sustainable crop production and ensure food.

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