Effect of Moringa Leaves, Poultry Manure and NPK Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea Mays L) in Ilorin, Southern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria
A field experiment was conducted in 2016 and 2017 planting seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria to assess the growth and yield response of maize plant to organic and inorganic fertilizer. The study comprised of 6 treatments viz; Control, 100 % NPK 15-15-15, 100 % Moringa leaves (MO), 100 % Poultry manure (PM), 50% Moringa leaves (MO) + 50% NPK and 50% Moringa leaves (MO) + 50% Poultry manure (PM). All the treatments except the control were applied at the rate of 60 kg N/ha. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. Results showed that application of Moringa leaves with NPK at 4, 8 and 12 WAP significantly (p < 0.05) increased the growth parameters and grain yield of maize when compared to application of NPK, poultry manure and moringa leaves alone including the control treatment. The highest grain yield (4.5t /ha) was obtained from MO+NPK while the grain yield (3.6 t/ha) were obtained with NPK during 2016 cropping season. The Moringa leaf with NPK had a significant (p < 0.05) influence on grain yields of maize during second cropping than NPK alone in 2017. The treatment MO+NPK and NPK alone produced maize grain yield by 4.4 t/ha and3.9 t/ha respectively. Therefore, the use of MO+NPK at 60 kg N/ha was judged more economic than NPK, PM and PM +MO in the studied area.
