Dry matter accumulation, N-uptake and grain yield of maize from manures composted with high quality organic residues
2000
Kihanda, F.M.(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Nairobi (Kenya). National Agricultural Research Laboratories)
Nitrogen is a major limiting nutrient in the maize growing areas of central Kenya highlands. Due to the high cost of inorganic fertilizers, the majority of the farmers use farmyard manure (FYM) to improve crop productivity. However, FYM produced in the area is often of low quality particularly in terms of N concentrations. Studies previously carried in the region showed that composting FYM with different proportions of tithonia or lantana improved the N content of the manure considerably. This study was conducted to test whether composted manure would improve growth and yield of maize. A field trial consisting of seven treatments namely: FYM composted with tithonia (1:1 and 3:1 ratios), or lantana (1:1 and 3:1 ratios), FYM composted alone, inorganic N fertilizer and absolute control was laid out in site low N. Maize (Zea mays Var. Hybrid 513) was the test crop. The treatments were arranged in a RCBD replicated three times. The six compost types and the inorganic fertilizer were llPplied at an equivalent rate of 100 kg N ha'l. Above ground maize biomass was taken at 2,6, 10, 14 and 18 weeks after crop emergence, dried to a constant weight and the N content determined. The plantN uptake for,each period was calculated as a product of dry matter and N content in the maize tissue. Grain yield was adjusted to 13 percentage moisture content. It was observed that dry matter yield, N uptake and final grain yield of maize were significantly higher in FYM composted with tithonia or lantana than the control or FYM composted alone treatments. Amongst the composts, the highest dry matter accumulation and N uptake was observed in FYM composted with tithonia at 1: 1 ratio. At all stages of crop growth. Inorganic fertilizer treatment gave the highest dry matter and N uptake. Based on the growth and N uptake in the fertilizer treatment it was concluded that the N release in all the compost was lower than the crop demand.
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