EFFECTS OF SOWING DATES AND TIME OF BASAL FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON GROWTH ANDYIELD OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) IN THE SUDAN AND NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAS OF NIGERIA

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Date
2021-04
Authors
YUNUSA, Aishatu
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Abstract
Field trials were conducted in 2016 wet seasons at the Institute for Agricultural Research farms, Samaru and Kadawa to assess the Effects of sowing dates and time of basal fertilizer application on growth and yield of Maize in the Sudan and Northern Guinea Savannas of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of 4 sowing dates which were at 7 days intervals (2nd week of June, 3rd week of June, 4th week June and 1st week of July) and 3 times of basal fertilizer application periods (at sowing, 10 days after sowing and 20 days after sowing). The treatments were factorially combined and laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) which was replicated 4 times. Parameters measured were plant height (cm), leaf area per plant (cm2), leaf area index, shoot dry matter per Plant (g), crop growth rate (gm-2wk-1), relative growth rate (g g-1wk-1), net assimilation rate (gm-2wk-1), number of days to 50% tasseling, number of days to 50% silking, number of cobs per plant, cob length (cm), cob diameter (cm), cob weight (g), threshing percentage (%), harvest index (%), weight of 100- grain weight (g) and grain yield per hectare (kg). At both locations, the result obtained revealed that sowing Maize at 2nd week of June significantly positively influenced plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area index, shoot dry matter per Plant (g), crop growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, number of days to 50% silking, cob length, 100- grain weight and grain yield per hectare. Time of basal fertilizer application at sowing significantly influenced plant height, leaf area index, shoot dry matter, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, cob diameter, cob length, 100 - grain weight and grain yield per hectare at both locations. Similarly, interaction between sowing dates and time of basal fertilizer application indicated that sowing at 2nd week of June and application of fertilizer at sowing positively influenced plant height and grain yield per hectare. The correlation result showed that grain yield was positively and significantly correlated with all parameters except number of days to 50% silking and net assimilation rate. Based on the result obtained from this study, it can be concluded that Sowing Maize in 2nd week of June and Time of Basal Fertilizer Application at Sowing resulted in better growth and highest yield and are therefore recommended to farmers around Samaru and Kadawa.
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRONOMY DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY, FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
SOWING DATES,, TIME OF BASAL FERTILIZER APPLICATION,, GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.),, SUDAN AND NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA,, NIGERIA
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