The Effect of Different Rates of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Cow Dung on Yield and Yield Components of Maize Varieties (Zea mays L.) in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments to study the performance of maize varieties (Zea mays L.) under different rates of nitrogen fertilizer and cow dung in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria were conducted in 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons at the Food and Agricultural Organization/Tree Crops Plantation (FAO/TCP) Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Adamawa State University Mubi. A split plot design was adopted for the study with two maize varieties assigned to the main plots and nitrogen with cow dung assigned to the subplots in a factorial combination. Nitrogen rates of 0, 60 and 120 kg N ha-1 and cow dung 0, 1 and 2 ton ha-1 were used. Data were collected on number of cobs per plant, cob length, 100 grain weight and grain yield per hectare. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS system for windows 9.2 version 2005 and treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Result showed that the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the yield and yield parameters increased significantly with the use of 120 kg N per ha-1 recording the highest for cob length (17.68 cm) 100 grain weighs (32.89 g) and grain yield (5658.3 kg). The control plot produced the least. Application of 2 ton ha-1 cow dung exhibited the highest yield. there was an interaction of variety with nitrogen on cob length and grain yield. Application of 120 kg N ha-1 significantly increased the yield of Quality Protein Maize (QPM) along with 2 ton ha-1 cow dung.