Effects of Green Manuring and Nitrogen Levels on the Yield and Yield Attributes of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A Field experiments were conducted from 2015 to 2016 wet seasons at the Teaching and Research of the Leventist Farm, Tumu Akko local Government area, Gombe State, to evaluate the effect of incorporated legumes and nitrogen levels on yield and yield attributes of maize. The treatments consist of four legumes crops (Centrosema, Lablab, Mucuna, Sesbania and control) and NPK fertilizer (0, 60 and 120 kg ha-1) laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates.  The results of the experiment revealed that, growing maize on lablab plots had significant (P≤0.05) effect on all the characters measured than other treatments. The results further revealed that, application of nitrogen fertilizer at the rate of 60kgN/ha gave significantly (P≤0.05) higher effects on all the characters studied than when the other rates were used. Control plots on the other hand recorded the least.The results indicated that maximum cob yield (3280 kg ha-1), stover yield (2115 kg ha-1), and grain yield (2359 kg ha-1) of maize were obtained with plots incorporated with lablab combined with 60 kg N ha-1 respectively. Studies on interaction revealed that, combined application of lablab green manure and 60 kg NPK ha-1, are the most viable combinations for maximum grain yield. The combination saves 60 kg NPK ha-1 when compared with the recommended rate of inorganic nitrogen (120kg NPK ha-1) for maize production.  Based on the results obtained, application of 60kg ha-1 N as top dress to maize grown on lablab residue plots should be adopted by farmers in and around the study area for higher yield.