Growth Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Different Rates of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Farm Yard Manure in Morogoro Urban District, Tanzania

Abstract

Pot experiments were carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm and in the green house of Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro Tanzania in 2014 and 2015 wet seasons to determine the effects of different levels of organic and inorganic fertilizers on maize. The experiments were conducted in completely randomized (CRD) with three replications. The treatments used consist of three levels of nitrogen (0, 75 and 150 kg Nha-1), three levels of phosphorus (0, 40 and 80 kg Pha-1) and three levels of Farm Yard Manure (0, 5 and 10 t FYM ha-1). Parameters determined includes plant height, number of leaves and stem girth. Results obtained showed that maximum plant height (66.75 and 131.7 cm), number of leaves (10.50) and stem girth (4.90 and 5.85 cm) were achieved with application of 150 kg Nha-1 + 80 kg Pha-1 + 10 t FYMha-1. The effects of treatments on parameters determined were significant (P≤0.05) in both years. However, application of fertilizers had no significant effect on number of leaves at first and second weeks after sowing. Results obtained in 2015 were better than 2014, which could be due to seasonal variation in the weather conditions and soils nutrient contents. The study suggests that, the study soils should be amended with rates of combined organic and inorganic fertilizers for superior maize growth performance