TITLE:
Evaluation of Economic Importance of Locally Produced Manure over Inorganic Fertilizer for Maize Production: Vegetative Performance and Cost Implication
AUTHORS:
Fatima Aliyu Deba, Safiya Isma’il, Muhammed Rabiu Sahal, Ibrahim Yusuf Okpanachi
KEYWORDS:
Mycorrhizae, Organic Fertilizer, Inorganic Fertilizer, Maize Production
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Molecular Biology,
Vol.9 No.2,
April
28,
2019
ABSTRACT:
Background: Crops of economic importance like Maize are preferred to other crops with
capacity of giving the highest yields, having the ability to help alleviate
poverty within the African continent. The consistent use of inorganic
fertilizers has great adverse effect on soil structure. The quest to seek
alternative method of boosting maize production is imminent to avoid further
soil degradation. Most plants form symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizae and
improve nutrients uptake by host plants. Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of mycorrhizae in local
manure production on development of maize, in comparison with inorganic
fertilizer application and its cost implication. Methods: The experiment involved samples of starter soil from 7 local governments.
Organic waste was added to starter soil, each having three replicates. Nine
other replicates served as non-inoculated controls and nine served for fertilizer
application at 50 g, 100 g and 150 g. One [1] gram of Maize sown in
50 ml pot contains soil at different treatment
levels 50 g, 100 g, and 150 g. After two weeks, samples
were transplanted in an open field. Results: The result showed plots treated with locally produced fertilizer,
significantly influenced plant height, culm diameter, number of leaves and leaf
broadness in comparison to inorganic fertilizer, which showed 53%, 47%
respectively. Conclusion: Cost production of a bag of organic fertilizer was one-fourth cheaper
compared to an inorganic fertilizer price from an open market.