Comparative effects of fertilizer and organic manures on germination and growth parameters of selected varieties of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment comparing the effects of cow dung, chicken droppings, and a mixture of both on the germination and growth parameters of maize (Zea mays) was conducted at the Botanical Garden, University of Maiduguri, located in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria. Treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The variables assessed included the number of germinated seedlings, plant height, number of leaves, and plant diameter. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and mean values were separated using the LSD test at a significance level of five percent. The results revealed that the application of organic manures, particularly chicken droppings (14.00), positively influenced maize germination and performance compared to N.P.K (2.00) treatments. Specifically, plots treated with chicken droppings exhibited the highest number of leaves (5.33), tallest plant height (49.17), and largest plant diameter (3.97) per plant. These findings suggest that chicken droppings have the potential to enhance the growth parameters of maize.