Effect of Fertilizer Treatments on the Agronomic Indices and Nutritive Value of Maize

Abstract

The study evaluated the effect of fertilizer treatments on the agronomic indices and nutritive value of maize in a completely randomized design experiment. The primary tillage operations were done and maize was then planted at the spacing of 25 cm by 75 cm. Thinning and weeding was also carried out four weeks after planting. Fertilizers were applied; Control (No fertilizer), Urea fertilizer, Nat-soil fertilizer and Wonder fertilizer. The agronomic parameters estimated include number of leaves, plant height, plant width, leaf length, leaf width, number of cob, and cob weight. The results indicated that the agronomic indices of the fertilizer treatments were significantly better (p<0.05) than the control treatment. The control had the highest DM value (29.95 %) while wonder had the least DM value (27.50 %). Wonder had the highest CP value (12.19 %) while Urea and Nat soil had relatively the same CP value (10.6 % and 10.64 % respectively) as the least CP value was recorded in Control. The CF value was higher in Control and Wonder (32.32 % and 32.40 % respectively) as the least CF value (30.34 %) was recorded in Nat soil. Urea had the highest ADF value (43.21 %) while Wonder had the least ADF value (35.85 %). Nat soil had the highest NDF value while Control had the least value. It could be concluded that maize treated with fertilizers had better agronomic indices as well as nutritive value.