INFLUENCE OF POULTRY MANURE APPLICATION RATE AND SUPERGRO ON THE GROWTH OF AND YIELD OF TWO VARIETIES OF MAIZE IN ANYIGBA
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the effects of poultry manure application rates and maize variety
selection on the growth parameters of maize in Anyigba, Nigeria, during the 2024 rainy
season. Conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Prince Abubakar Audu University,
the experiment utilized two maize varieties: Hybrid Oba 6 and Samaz-52. A randomized
complete block design was employed to assess growth metrics. Including leaf area, number of
leaves, plant height, stem girth, days to tasseling, and silking. Results indicate that application
rates of 10 tonnes/ha of poultry manure significantly enhanced vegetative growth with
Samaz-52 outperforming Oba 6 across key parameters. Notably, leaf area increased from
130.68 cm2 (control) to 170.90 cm2 with manure application, and plant height at maturity
rose from 195.01 cm to 227.74 cm. However, the timing of reproductive stages showed no
significant variation among treatments. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting
high-yielding varieties and optimal manure application rates to improve maize productivity.
Further research is recommended to explore the underlying mechanisms influencing growth
and reproductive development.
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