Browsing by Author "Olowoake, A. A."

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    Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) amended with Compost-Enriched Palm Kernel Cake
    (Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, 2017-11-24) Olowoake, A. A.
    Organic waste materials are used for improving soil health and crop yields. Enrichment of organic waste materials with palm kernel cake could increase soil nutrient content. Pot experiments were conducted in a screenhouse at Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Nigeria during the 2015 planting season to examine the effect of NPK fertilizer and different rates of compost combined with palm kernel cake (PKC) on growth, dry matter yield and nutrient uptake of maize. The experiment involved eight treatments: Sunshine Grade B+PKC at 2, 4. 6 t/ha, Aleshinloye Grade B+PKC at 2, 4. 6 t/ha, NPK at 60 kg N/ha and Control (No fertilizer addition). The treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. The parameters taken on growth and yield parameters were plant height (cm), number of leaves, stem girth (mm) and dry matter yield (g/pot). Maize plants grew better (P<0.05) with the application of NPK fertilizer at first planting. The use of organic fertilizers; Sunshine Grade B+PKC at 4 t/ha and Aleshinloye Grade B+PKC at 4 t/ha had greater positive effects on growth and nutrient uptake of maize at second planting. Sunshine Grade B+PKC at 4 t/ha significantly (P<0.05) improved the dry matter yield of maize by 62% during first planting and by 66% during second planting compared with the control. The combination of Sunshine Grade B+PKC at 4 t/ha and Aleshinloye Grade B+PKC at 4 t/ha could serve as alternative to mineral fertilizer for the production of maize with the additional advantage of enhancing better waste management