Comparative Effect of Organic and Inorganic Manure on the Growth of Maize (Zea mays) in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Maize is an important cereal crop that is not only rich in carbohydrate but also a potential source of protein and essential minerals. Comparative effect of organic and inorganic manure on the growth of maize (Zea mays) was investigated in this study using two varieties of maize namely: SAMMAZ 52 and TZEE 2009. Soil samples were collected from the bank of river Benue, Makurdi and were mixed with the various manure and taken to the Department of Agronomy, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi for analysis. A 2x4 factorial scheme fitted into a completely randomized design with three replicates was adopted for the study in which twenty four pots were filled with about 14 kg of soil of uniform properties. Six of the pots were mixed with 1.5 kg of poultry droppings, six with 1.5 kg NPK fertilizer s and six with 1.5 kg goat dung leaving six pots free of organic or inorganic fertilizers. The setup was left for two weeks before planting. The hybrid seeds were sown into each of the soil and Agronomic data were collected weekly up to a period of 10weeks. Investigation showed that poultry droppings had better results in terms of pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorous and exchangeable cation. Organic fertilizers also produced significantly higher yields than the inorganic fertilizer especially with poultry droppings treated soils in all parameters including plant height, number of leaves and leaf area; SAMMAZ 52 having significantly higher yields than TZEE 2009. ??It was concluded that organic fertilizer improves the chemical and physiochemical properties of the soil thereby increasing the growth of maize; the use of poultry droppings as an organic manure having a more significant effect in enhancing growth than inorganic manure. It is recommended that organic fertilizers be adopted by farmers as a potent alternative to inorganic fertilizers in promoting growth in maize plant and other cereals.