Effect of Municipal Solid Wastes On Grain Yield of Three Maize Cultivars (Published)
The growth and yield of three maize cultivars were examined in relation to the impact of Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) enriched soil. According to the results, plants grown on soil treated with MSW and inorganic fertilizer (NPK) produced significantly (P≤0.05) taller plants, larger leaves and higher number of leaves than plants grown on the control soil. On the other hand, plants grown on soils fertilized with MSW 1 showed significantly (P≤0.05) greater values of these indicators. The study also demonstrated that maize cultivar TZE yellow, EVDT 99 and Comp-1-synthetic showed no significant variation at the later growth stage but TZE yellow significantly (P≤0.05) had taller plants, larger leaves, and higher number of leaves at the early stage of crop growth. Comp-1-synthetic produced more grain and more grains per cob which was statistically at par with TZE yellow but differ significantly (P≤0.05) from EVDT 99. Crops grown on MSW and NPK treated soils had significantly (P≤0.05) higher grain yields and more grains per cob than those grown on the control soil. However, compared to NPK treated soils, MSW treated soils significantly (P≤0.05) produced better grain yield and number of grains per cob. The maize cultivars’ differences in crude protein content were significant at P≤0.05. The crude protein content of TZE yellow was significantly (P≤0.05) higher than that of EVDT 99 and Comp-1-synthetic. Additionally, plants cultivated on MSW 1 treated soil had considerably higher crude protein content than plants grown on other soil types. Therefore, if municipal solid wastes are sorted and handled, MSW enriched soils could be employed to boost maize production.
Keywords: Cultivars, Grain Yield, Maize, municipal solid waste (MSW)
Evaluation of Cultivars and NKP Fertilizer Rates on Growth and Yield of Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott on Plains of Nsukka, South Eastern Nigeria (Review Completed - Accepted)
An on –farm experiment was conducted in 2008 and repeated in 2009 cropping season at the Linkage Farm of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to evaluate the growth and yield responses of five cultivars of taro (Colocasia esculenta) to different levels of NPK 15:15:15: fertilizer on plains of Nsukka with the objectives of identifying best performing cultivars and optimum NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer rate. The experiment was laid out in a 5×6 factorial in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in which factor A is taro cultivars consisting of Nkpong, Odogolo, Nworoko, Ugwuta and Nachi while factor B is NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer rates with six levels which is included 0, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300kg/ha. Fisher’s least significant difference was applied to detect significant difference between two means at 5% probability level. The results showed that the mean rainfall for 2009 planting season was higher than that of 2008. The soil was texturally clayey and moderately acidic with a pH of 5.0 cultivars differed significantly on total yield with Nkpong and Nachi producing 33.25 (t/ha) and 31.08 (t/ha) in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Application of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer at 200kg/ha significantly produced a total yield of 42.76 (t/ha) and 25.58 (t/ha) in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Keywords: Cultivars, Growth, NPK Fertilizer, Taro, Yield