Phosphorus unavailability and lack of organic matter in the soils under semiarid condition are the major reasons for low crop productivity. Field trial was conducted to investigate the impact of different animal manures (poultry, cattle, and sheep manures) and phosphorus levels (40, 80, 120, and 160 kg P2O5 ha−1) on yield and yield components of hybrid maize (CS-200) with (+) and without (−) phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) seed treatment at the Agronomy Research Farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar, during summer 2014. Our results confirmed that the application of poultry manure significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased yield and yield components of maize. Phosphorus applied at the rate of 120 kg P2O5 ha−1 increased ear length, grains ear−1, and shelling percentage, while the highest rate of 160 kg P ha−1 increased grains weight, grain yield, and harvest index. Maize seeds treated with PSB (+) before sowing had produced higher yield and yield components than untreated seeds (−). We concluded from this study that com‐ bined application of 160 kg P2O5 ha−1 + poultry manure and seed treatment with PSB (+) could improve crop productivity and profitability under semiarid condition.

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Integrated Use of Phosphorus, Animal Manures and Biofertilizers Improve Maize Productivity under Semiarid Condition

Alternative sources of plant nutrients have now become imperative especially for vegetable crop production in Nigeria because of the escalating costs of inorganic fertilizers with the attendant environmental and health problems associated with excessive use of these inputs on continuously cropped fields. A two-year field experiment was conducted during the early planting seasons from March to June of 2011 and 2012 on the acidic coastal plain soils at Calabar, to evaluate the combined effects of four rates each (0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha) of poultry manure (PM) and goat manure (GM) on soil chemical properties and agronomic performance of sweet maize (Zea mays L. saccharata Strut.). Factorial combinations of the treatments were fitted into a randomized complete block design with three replications. The application of the manures significantly (P <= 0.05) raised the soil pH, organic matter content, total N, available P and exchangeable K, Ca and Mg status of the soil. Except for pH, total N, and available P contents, GM had superior responses for all other chemical properties than PM. The 15 t/ha rate of both manures maximized sweet maize growth attributes, total dry matter (TDM) and grain yields and also hastened days to 50% tasselling. On average, the application of 5, 10 and 15 t/ha PM rates, increased TDM by 8.5, 35.1 and 53.9%, whereas the corresponding values for GM were 15.6, 27.8 and 33.2% respectively compared with the unamended control plots. The grain yield increases at 15 t/ha PM and GM were 11.2, 59.8 and 126.9% ; and 4.2, 20.0 and 45.8% respectively, above the 10, 5 and 0 t/ha rates of both manures. The growth and yield attributes showed greater responses to PM than GM in terms of the values obtained. The co-application of PM at 15 t/ha and GM at 10 t/ha had the best effects on TDM and grain yield and is thus recommended for sweet maize production in this agro-ecology.

Comparative evaluation of animal manures on soil properties growth and yield of sweet maizeZea mays L saccharata Strut 220

A field experiment was conducted to examine the residual influence of biochar applied previously to an established experiment at the Agriculture University Research Farm, Peshawar on soil properties and yield of maize crop during summer 2016. The experiment was established in RCB design with split plot arrangements having cropping systems (CS) in main plots and biochar (BC) in sub-plots. Cropping systems were: 1) wheat-mung bean; 2) wheat-maize; 3) chickpea-maize; and 4) chickpea-mung bean. During the past three seasons, each cropping system received biochar at 0, 40, 60 and 80 t&#183ha&#451 along with recommended dose of NPK in each season. For this study, maize was planted after chickpea and wheat in summer 2016. The results showed that grain yield, cobs weight and total N uptake of maize was significantly greater for chickpea-maize than for wheat-maize cropping system. Soil organic C was also significantly higher in soil under chickpea-maize than under wheat-maize cropping system. However, other yield components such as stover yield, harvest index and N concentration in grain and stover of maize and soil properties such as pH, EC and mineral N were non-significantly affected by cropping systems. With respect to residual effect of biochar grain yield of maize and bulk density of soil were maximum for treatment receiving biochar at 40 t&#183ha&#451 whereas cobs weight soil pH and mineral N were highest receiving biochar at 60 t&#183ha&#451. Moreover, N concentration in stover, N uptake and soil organic C were maximum for treatment receiving biochar at 80 t&#183ha&#451. However, stover yield, harvest index, N concentration in grain, and soil EC were non-significantly affected by biochar treatments. However interactions between CS × BC were significant for yield and yield parameters of maize and for soil properties (bulk density mineral N), while non-significant for harvest index, soil organic C, pH and EC. It was concluded that chickpea-maize cropping system performed better in terms of improving yield and yield components of maize and in improving soil properties. Application of biochar to previous crops also improved yield and yield parameters of the following maize as well as soil properties. Thus we recommend that legumes must be involved in cropping system for sustainable and higher productivity and improved soil properties. However, further studies are suggested to find out suitable dose of biochar for sustainable and economic crop productivity and soil fertility.

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Residual Effect of Biochar on Soil Properties and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Different Cropping Systems

Stevia represents an interesting species for the development of new ingredients characterized by a low caloric contribution having high antioxidant and phytochemical properties. As a valuable organic fertilizer, poultry manure (PM) serves as a suitable alternate to chemical fertilizer due to having higher total solid content than most other manures. The present study was conducted in the net house of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, BangladeshAgriculturalUniversity, Mymensingh to evaluate the effects of poultry manure on growth and leaf yield of stevia and post-harvest soil fertility. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. PM was applied at rates of 0, 5, 7.5 and 10 t ha −1 . Data of the plant height, number of branches and number of leaves per plant were collected at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after planting (DAP). At harvest, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight of leaves of stevia and post-harvest soil were evaluated. Plant that received 5 t ha −1 of PM was the best with respect to all the parameters assessed except post-harvest soil fertility. The contents of total N, available P, exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, available S, Zn and B were significantly increased with the increased levels of PM up to 10 t ha −1 in both soils. pH and soil organic matter content were also increased several folds and favored higher growth and yield of stevia. It can be recommended from the findings of the study that farmers should apply PM @ 5 t ha −1 to obtain maximum growth and leaf yield of stevia where as PM @ 10 t ha −1 can be applied for maintaining soil fertility in the agro-climatic condition of Bangladesh. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 15(2): 212-218, December 2017

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Growth, leaf biomass yield of stevia and post-harvest soil fertility as influenced by different levels of poultry manure

A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 2014-2015 at a farm field located in Swabi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, with the main aim to evaluate the influence of different organic manures on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with four replications. The treatments were: T1 (control, no manure), T2 (Cattle manure), T3 (Poultry manure), and T4 (Sheep manure). All the organic manures were applied at the rate of 10 tha. At maturity, plant height (cm), number of grains per spike, grain yield, and biological yield were recorded. Results led to the conclusion that T3 (poultry manure) gave the best results, as compared to other treatments. The values of plant height, biological yield and grain yield were 87 cm, 13.66 tha and 5.750 tha, respectively, for poultry manure treatment. Results for number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight were found non-significant in the prevailing soil condition.

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Application of different organic manures in optimizing optimum yield for wheat in calcareous soil

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Effect of Poultry Manure on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays Var Praecox) in Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

Effect of Cowdung Compost Manure Rates of Application on the Growth and Leaf Yield of Spider Plant (Cleome gynandra L. Briq) in Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

A clear understanding of soil characteristics and their appropriate classification are essential for efficient land use and increased productivity. The present study was carried out to obtain the fertility capability classification (FCC) of the soils overlying the basement complex in a toposequence in north eastern Nigeria and to serve as baseline data for soil management. Soils on four topographic positions identified on porphyritic granite (PG), pegmatite (PT) and granite-gneiss (GG) of the basement complex in Taraba State of Nigeria were assessed. Twelve pedons were studied in all, four along the toposequence on PG, PT, and GG. At the type and substrata type, sandy and loamy group dominated. Ustic soil moisture regime, exchange acidity (fixing available phosphorus) and low organic carbon limited the entire soils across the basement complexes restricting rainfed crop production to one season per annum except with irrigation practice. Poor drainage was a limitation across the soils on pegmatite. The FCC rated PG and GG soils as SLdeam (sand over loam and limited by moisture, effective cation exchange capacity, aluminium toxicity and organic carbon) and Ldam (loam type and substrata characteristics limited by moisture, aluminium toxicity and organic carbon), and PT and PT soils as Sdamg (sandy type and substrata type restricted by moisture, aluminium toxicity, organic carbon, drainage). Ridge construction, organic and mineral fertilizer applications are essential management practices required for sustainable use of these soils.

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Fertility capability classification of selected soils on the basement complex of north-eastern Nigeria

The properties of soils in an area are defined by the interaction between lithology and other factors of soil formation. Of the five factors of soil formation, climate is most important in the control of the distribution of crops in Nigeria, and oil palm is not an exception. The study was carried out to evaluate the suitability of land in Cross River State for oil palm production, and make appropriate soil management recommendations for improved production. Eight slope transitions were identified and two soil profile pits were sunk in each transition. Sixteen profile pits were used for the study. Currently, the well-drained high elevation soils are moderately suitable (S2) for oil palm cultivation; however, most of the well-drained soils in the higher elevation ranges in the southern agricultural zone are potentially highly suitable (S1). The central and southern agricultural zones are more suitable for oil palm cultivation. The poorly drained and low elevation areas in the three zones are not economical for the cultivation of oil palm and should be put to the cultivation of sugar cane and paddy rice.

Y. A. Garjila

Papers

Effect of Poultry Manure on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays Var Praecox) in Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

Effect of Cowdung Compost Manure Rates of Application on the Growth and Leaf Yield of Spider Plant (Cleome gynandra L. Briq) in Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

Fertility capability classification of selected soils on the basement complex of north-eastern Nigeria

Land suitability evaluation for oil palm production in Cross River State, Nigeria