3 research outputs found
Effects of decaying leaf litter and inorganic fertilizer on growth and development of maize (Zea mays L.)
The effects of decaying leaf litter of Tithonia diversifolia and Vernonia
amygdalina as organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer (NPK 15-15-15) and
their combination effects on the growth and development of maize were studied
in a screen house. Twenty-four experimental bags filled with 20 kg of loamy
soil were laid out in a completely randomized design with six treatments and
four replications for each treatment which included: 250 g of decaying leaves
of T. diversifolia as mulch (T1), 250 g of decaying leaves of V. amygdalina
(T2), 1.52 g of NPK (inorganic) fertilizer (T3), a mixture of 250 g of
decaying leaves of T. diversifolia and 1.52 g of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer
(T4), a mixture of V. amygdalina and 1.52 g of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer (T5)
and control (T6). The significant growth as well as maize yields were
obtained from T3 treated maize seedlings, and this was closely followed by T4
treated seedlings. The study showed that the decaying leaf litter as an
organic fertilizer in maize production in a screen house conditions did not
give better yield than NPK treatment alone