Evaluation of Farmyard Manure and Urea on Growth, Yield and Cost benefits of Rice (Oryza sativa L) in Southern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria

Abstract

Chemical fertilizers are become more and more expensive, making them unaf- fordable for smallholder farmers in Nigeria. This study compared the combined effects of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizers (prilled and granular urea) on growth, yield and cost benefits of rice. Field experiments were carried out in two locations (Malete and Shao) Kwara State, Nigeria during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Seven treatments combinations in a Randomized Complete Block De- sign (RCBD), namely: T1: Control, T2: Recommended dose of NPK (100 % N through Indorama Granular Urea), T3: Recommended dose of NPK (100 % N through prilled urea),T4: Full dose of P&K + 75% N through Indorama Granular Urea +25 % N through FYM, T5:Full dose of P&K + 75% N through prilled Urea +25 % N through FYM, T6: Full dose of P&K + 75% N through Indorama Granular Urea, T7: Full dose of P&K + 75% N through Prilled Urea replicated three times each. The highest plant height, leaf area, number of tillers, number of grain /panicle were recorded in T4. The highest grain yield (3332.9, 3,125.3 and 3,400.9, 2,794.7 kg/ha for Malete and Shao respectively in 2018 and 2019. with highest economic returns were also observed in application of T4. It can be con- cluded from the findings that integrated application of farmyard manure and inor- ganic fertilizer, has the potential of producing a high yield of rice, increase farm income, and enhance farmers' quality of life.