Performance of Leafy Biomass of Parkia biglobosa and Albizia lebbeck with Urea on Maize Growth in Makera, Nigeria

Abstract

The technology of using biomass transfer is a major environmental friendly technology that provides better conditions for soil. The study assessed the performance of leafy biomass of Parkia biglobosa and Albizia lebbeck with urea on maize growth in Makera, Nigeria. The experiments were laid out as 3 x 4 x 2 factorial in a split-split plot design with three replicates for two years. These factors were: biomass species (Albizia lebbeck and Parkia biglobosa) and control as main plots, four levels of nitrogen (0, 40, 80, 120 kg N ha-1) as sub-plots, and two maize varieties (DMR-ESR-7 and 2009 EVAT) as sub-sub plots. Data collected on leaves biomass and maize yield were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA) at α =.05. Albizia lebbeck biomass performed better with higher average contents of N (3.24 %) and C (18.64 %) and lower average C: N ratio (5.75) than Parkia biglobosa. Albizia lebbeck biomass had higher significant effect on growth parameters compared to Parkia biglobosa. Nitrogen applications enhanced similar effects on growth components of both maize varieties compared to control. In conclusion, Albizia lebbeck decomposed and mineralized faster for maize uptake, and nitrogen application at 120 kg N ha-1 with 2009 EVAT is a better combination for maize growth.

Full text

African Journal of Agriculture Technology and Environment Vol. 6(1): 67-78 June, 2017
E-ISSN: 2346-7290
Performance of Leafy Biomass of Parkia biglobosa and Albizia lebbeck with Urea
on Maize Growth in Makera, Nigeria
1Oyebamiji, N. A.*, 2Adesoji, A. G. and 3Aduradola, A. M.
1Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University Dutsinma, Nigeria.
2Department of Crop Production and Protection, Federal University Dutsinma, Nigeria
3Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
*Correspondence author (Email: noyebamiji@fudutsinma.edu.ng)
ABSTRACT
The technology of using biomass transfer is a major environmental friendly technology that
provides better conditions for soil. The study assessed the performance of leafy biomass of Parkia
biglobosa and Albizia lebbeck with urea on maize growth in Makera, Nigeria. The experiments
were laid out as 3 x 4 x 2 factorial in a split-split plot design with three replicates for two years.
These factors were: biomass species (Albizia lebbeck and Parkia biglobosa) and control as main
plots, four levels of nitrogen (0, 40, 80, 120 kg N ha-1) as sub-plots, and two maize varieties (DMR-
ESR-7 and 2009 EVAT) as sub-sub plots. Data collected on leaves biomass and maize yield were
analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA) at α =.05. Albizia lebbeck biomass
performed better with higher average contents of N (3.24 %) and C (18.64 %) and lower average C:
N ratio (5.75) than Parkia biglobosa. Albizia lebbeck biomass had higher significant effect on
growth parameters compared to Parkia biglobosa. Nitrogen applications enhanced similar effects
on growth components of both maize varieties compared to control. In conclusion, Albizia lebbeck
decomposed and mineralized faster for maize uptake, and nitrogen application at 120 kg N ha-1 with
2009 EVAT is a better combination for maize growth.
Keywords: Leafy biomass, maize growth, performance, tree species, urea
INTRODUCTION
Agroforestry is a land management system
that accommodates both production of food
crops and forest products on the same piece of
land. It aims at increasing production of food
and fibres. It has been discovered that food
crisis, declining forest resources and
environmental imbalance are some of the
problems that are wide spread in Nigeria and
the world today (Oyebamiji et al., 2014). The
agricultural production system in Nigeria as
well as other developing countries of the
world has deteriorated due to decline in soil
fertility which has resulted to lack of capacity
to produce enough food for their teeming
population (Oyebamiji et al., 2014). Farming
systems in Nigeria and all over the tropics are
under threat due to declining soil fertility
(Adjei-Nsiah, 2012).
It is increasingly evident that declining soil
fertility is the most widespread, dominant
limitation on yields of maize (Zea mays L.)
and the sustainability of cereal/ maize-based
cropping systems in Africa (Ajayi et al.,
2007). However, leguminous trees that are
nitrogen fixing trees are known to play
complementary or alternative role as source of
organic fertilizer and have the potential to
sustain soil fertility (Giller, 2001; Snapp et
al., 2003; Adjei-Nsiah et al., 2004).
Cultivation of leguminous tree crops or
biomass transfer is the main possibility for
soil enrichment with nutrients, especially with
nitrogen.
In many tropical agricultural systems with
limited access to fertilizers, tree biomass is
often used to meet the Nitrogen (N)
requirements of annual crops (Olujobi, 2012).
A major challenge in this approach is to
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Oyebamiji et al.
ensure that N in the applied biomass is
efficiently utilized by crops. Synchronizing
release of N from decomposing biomass with
demand (uptake) by crop (Swift, 1987) will
lead to increased N-use efficiency of the
incorporated biomass (Becker et al., 1994a),
and will in turn minimize the opportunity for
N loss (Myers et al., 1994).
Xu et al. (1993) and Kamara et al. (1994)
established that the N supply by the biomass
transfer from the legumes was not sufficient
to achieve optimum companion crop growth
and yield in semi-arid tropics. In agroforestry
systems, plant residues in form of tree leaf
litter or biomass transfer enter the soil system
which serves as sources of nutrients and
organic matter when they decompose and
could contribute to the maintenance of soil
fertility.
The only alternative way out of this problem by
small landholder agroforestry farmers, is the
substitution of costly inorganic farming with
low cost organic farming through biomass
transfer or mulch. Therefore, it is necessary for
farmers to know the benefits of using leafy
biomass of leguminous trees and utilizes them
in order to meet up with maximum demand of
the companion agricultural crops (Olujobi and
Oyun, 2013). Though, inornic fertilizers feed
the plant faster but leads to soil degradation,
increase soil acidity whereas, organic materials
help to increase organic content of the soil of
which inorganic fertility will not do. Organic
material has various derivable benefits, such as
it enhance Cations Exchange Capacity (CEC),
improve the structure of the soil, ameliorate and
increase crop production and yield, improve soil
chemical, physical and biological properties.
Technologies that combine mineral fertilizers
with organic nutrient sources can be considered
as better options in increasing fertilizer use
efficiency, and providing a more balanced
supply of nutrients (Donovan and Casey 1998).
Combination of organic and mineral fertilizer
nutrient sources has been shown to result in
synergistic effects and improved
synchronization of nutrient release and uptake
by crop (Palm et al., 1997) leading to higher
yields; especially when the levels of mineral
fertilizers used are relatively low (Kapkiyai et
al., 1998).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area
The study area is Makera, a village in Dutsinma
Local Government Area of Katsina State,
having an area of 527 km², altitude of 605 m
and a population of 169, 671 and is found
within Latitude 12027'18" N and Longitude
07029'29"E. It is also found in the basement
complex derived soils of Katsina State
(Oguntoyinbo, 1983).
Experimental Design
The experiments were laid in split-split plot
design in 3 x 4 x 2 factorials with three
replicates. The plot dimensions were 4 m x 3
m. Leafy biomass of Albizia lebbeck and
Parkia biglobosa were pruned and
incorporated fresh into the soil at the rate of 6
kg for each of the Albizia and Parkia biomass
plots (B1 and B2) respectively and plots
without incorporation of leafy biomass (B0).
The leafy biomass was incorporated into the
soil for two cropping seasons (2014 and
2015). Four levels of N fertilizers were split
applied as: N0, 0 kg N ha-1 (control); N1, 40 kg
N ha-1; N2, 80 kg N ha-1; N3, 120 kg N ha-1
and were applied at 2 weeks after planting
(WAP). The remaining amount was applied 5
WAP. The two varieties of maize used were
(DMR- ESR- 7 (Yellow Maize) and 2009
EVAT (White Maize) obtained from Katsina
State Agricultural and Rural Development
Authority (KTARDA). The two maize
varieties were planted (two maize seeds were
planted per hole, at equal depth and it was
later thinned to one) by conventional spacing
of 75 cm x 25 cm two weeks after
incorporation of leafy biomass of Albizia and
Parkia into the soil. Thinning was also done 2
WAP making the total plant population of 64
stands per plot.
Plant Tissue Analysis of
Agroforestry Tree Species
Samples of harvested leaves were air dried at
room temperature and powdered to be
analysed for initial contents of N, C, lignin
and polyphenols. Total N was analysed by
Macro-Kjeldahl digestion, followed by
distillation and titration (Anderson and
Ingram, 1993; Brandstreet, 1965). Lignin
levels were determined by the Acid Detergent
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African Journal of Agriculture Technology and Environment Vol. 6(1): 67-78 June, 2017
Fibre (ADF) method as outlined in (Anderson
and Ingram, 1993). The polyphenol was
extracted in hot (800 C) 50 % aqueous
methanol and determined calorimetrically
with tannic acid as a standard measurement
(Anderson and Ingram, 1993; Hagerman,
1988).
Data Collection
Five maize plants were randomly selected
within each of the net plots 4 m x 1.5 m (6
m2) with a tag for periodic observations at 4,
6, 8 and 10 WAP during the crop growth
cycle for pre- harvest data collection. At
harvest, these same five tagged plants were
still used to obtain yield.
Statistical Analysis
Data were analysed by subjecting to Analysis
of Variance (Factorial) using Statistical
Analysis System (SAS, 2000) computer
package at 5 % level of significance to
determine differences in the treatment effect.
The Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (Duncan,
1955) was used to separate means of
differences among the treatments.
RESULTS
Selected Soil Physical and Chemical
Properties before Planting
Soil physical and chemical properties before
the commencement of the experiment were
presented in Table 1. The soil was low in total
nitrogen and organic carbon with 0.04 % and
0.53 % respectively. The soil distribution of
exchangeable basic cations follows this order:
Ca>Mg>Na>K. Nitrate-nitrogen was higher
than ammonia-nitrogen in the soil. The pH of
the soil was acidic. The soil belongs to the
textural class sandy loam.
Chemical composition of Albizia lebbeck
and Parkia biglobosa leafy biomass
The plant materials showed variations in their
chemical compositions during 2014 and 2015
cropping seasons. The leaves of Albizia
lebbeck contained more N (leading to lower
C: N ratio) than Parkia biglobosa. Albizia
lebbeck had the highest concentration of
lignin with mean value of 11.06, while Parkia
biglobosa had highest concentration of C: N
ratios with mean value of 6.30. The result in
(Table 2) showed that Parkia biglobosa had
low N and C contents.
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Oyebamiji et al.
Table 1: Soil physical and chemical properties before establishment of the experiment at
Makera in 2014
Soil properties
Value
Particle size (gkg-1)
Sand
88.60
Silt
4.00
Clay
7.40
Textural class
Sandy loam
Chemical properties
pH
4.10 (acidic)
Organic carbon (%)
0.53
Total nitrogen (%)
0.04
NH4+N (mgkg-1)
23.99
NO3-N(mgkg-1)
26.38
Available phosphorus (mg kg-1)
7.94
Exchangeable bases (C mol kg-1)
Ca
6.25
Mg
1.01
K
0.20
Na
0.35
Exchangeable acidity (C mol kg-1)
Al +
CEC
0.15
7.96
Micro nutrients (mg kg-1)
Mn
30.10
Fe
11.00
Cu
1.45
Zn
6.50
Table 2: Chemical composition of the leafy biomass of Albizia lebbeck and Parkia biglobosa
Component
N %
C %
Lignin %
Polyphenol %
C: N
Albizia lebbeck
2014
3.32a
18.62a
11.37a
0.65b
5.60b
2015
3.16a
18.65a
10.74a
0.48b
5.90b
Means
3.24a
18.64a
11.06a
0.57b
5.75b
Parkia biglobosa
2014
2.85b
17.81b
8.35b
0.87a
6.20a
2015
2.44b
15.52b
8.13b
0.63a
6.40a
Means
2.65b
16.67b
8.24b
0.75a
6.30a
N= Nitrogen; C= Carbon; C:N= Carbon/Nitrogen ratio
Means followed by the same letter(s) within the same column and treatment are not significantly different (P > 0.05)
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African Journal of Agriculture Technology and Environment Vol. 6(1): 67-78 June, 2017
Plant Height
Plots amended with Albizia lebbeck was
consistently having significant higher values
of plant height than other treatments at all
sampling periods in 2014 (year 1). In 2015
(year 2) at 4 WAP there was no significant
difference between plots amended with
Albizia lebbeck and Parkia biglobosa, but
control was significantly higher than Albizia
lebbeck and Parkia biglobosa. At 6 WAP,
Parkia biglobosa was significantly lower than
Albizia lebbeck and control. At 8 WAP,
Albizia lebbeck amended plots was
significantly higher than Parkia biglobosa
and control, while at 10 WAP, Parkia
biglobosa had significant lower value
compared with Albizia lebbeck and control.
In 2014 (year 1), the control treatment
produced significantly lower values of plant
height than in other plots supplied with
nitrogen. Among the nitrogen treated plots,
the values were mostly comparable but
numerically higher with increase in N rate. In
2015, plots supplied with 80 kg N ha-1 had
significant higher value of plant height at 6
WAP and 10 WAP,. There was no significant
difference among maize varieties at 4 and 6
WAP, but 2009 EVAT was significantly
higher than DMR- ESR-7 at 8 and 10 WAP in
2014 and 2015 (Table 3).
Number of Leaves per Plant
Consistently, plots amended with Albizia
lebbeck had significantly higher value of
number of leaves per plant than other
treatments at all sampling periods except at 4
WAP in 2015 where control had significant
higher value than both Albizia lebbeck and
Parkia biglobosa. In 2014, at 4, 6 and 10
WAP, control treatment produced significant
lower values of number of leaves per plant
than in other plots supplied with nitrogen. No
significant response to N rate at 8 WAP. Also,
there was no significant response to N rate in
2015. At 8 and 10 WAP, DMR-ESR-7 had
less number of leaves than 2009 EVAT. In
2015, at 10 WAP, DMR-ESR-7 had lower
value than 2009 EVAT (Table 4).
Leaf Area Index (LAI)
Albizia lebbeck amended plots consistently
had significantly higher values of leaf area
index than other treatments at all sampling
periods in 2014. In 2015, the values were
comparable, but Albizia lebbeck had
significant higher value of leaf area index at 8
WAP compared with other treatments. In
2014 and at 10 WAP in 2015, the control
treatments produced significantly lower
values of leaf area index than in other plots
supplied with nitrogen. 2009 EVAT produced
significant higher value of leaf area index at 8
and 10 WAP in 2014 and 10 WAP in 2015
(Table 5).
Total Dry Matter (TDM)
Plots amended with Albizia lebbeck had
consistent significant higher values of dry
matter than other treatments at all sampling
periods in 2014 and 2015 (Table 6). In 2014,
the control treatment produced significantly
lower values of dry matter than in plots
supplied with nitrogen. Among the nitrogen
treated plots the values were mostly
comparable but numerically higher increase in
N rate. In 2015, plots supplied with 120 kg N
ha-1had increasing values of total dry matter at
6, 8 and 10 WAP. There was no significant
difference among varieties in 2014, while in
2015 at 8 and 10 WAP DMR-ESR-7 had less
values than 2009 EVAT.
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Oyebamiji et al.
Table 3: Influence of leafy biomass and nitrogen rate on plant height (cm) of two maize varieties in 2014 and 2015
Plant height
2014
2015
Treatment
4 WAP
6 WAP
8 WAP
10 WAP
4 WAP
6 WAP
8 WAP
10 WAP
Biomass (B)
Control
53.5b
109.5b
152.7b
165.6ab
42.8a
69.3a
89.7b
161.3a
Albizia
68.7a
133.1a
169.5a
174.3a
38.0b
70.4a
105.5a
160.2a
Parkia
56.8b
112.5b
147.6b
154.1b
35.2b
61.9b
82.8b
145.0b
SE±
2.50
6.48
6.34
6.44
1.42
2.00
4.77
4.28
Nitrogen(N)Kg ha-1
0
55.8a
82.9b
123.7b
133.6b
38.3a
64.2b
87.0a
144.6b
40
61.1a
122.3a
160.2a
169.9a
39.8a
66.8b
93.8a
157.5ab
80
61.0a
131.0a
167.8a
172.6a
37.8a
73.2a
99.3a
159.5a
120
60.7a
137.2a
174.8a
182.6a
38.8a
64.5b
90.7a
160.4a
SE±
3.26
5.97
6.18
6.37
1.83
2.33
5.99
5.19
Variety (V)
DMR- ESR- 7
60.9a
121.9a
150.8b
158.3b
38.6a
65.9a
94.1a
148.1b
2009 EVAT
58.3a
114.8a
162.4a
171.0a
38.8a
68.5a
91.3a
163.0a
SE±
2.30
5.58
5.36
5.34
1.29
1.74
4.25
3.56
Interaction
B x N
S*
S*
NS
S*
NS
S*
S*
S*
B x V
S*
S*
S*
NS
S*
S*
S*
S*
V x N
NS
S*
S*
S*
NS
S*
NS
S*
Means followed by the same letter(s) within the same column and treatment are not significantly different at 5 % level of probability using DMRT.
WAP: Weeks after planting. S* Significant at 5 % level of probability. NS: Not significant.
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African Journal of Agriculture Technology and Environment Vol. 6(1): 67-78 June, 2017
Table 4: Influence of leafy biomass and nitrogen rate on number of leaves (cm) of two maize varieties in 2014 and 2015
Number of leaves per plant
2014
2015
Treatment
4 WAP
6 WAP
8 WAP
10 WAP
4 WAP
6 WAP
8 WAP
10 WAP
Biomass (B)
Control
8.5b
11.5b
12.7b
11.6b
7.6a
8.7a
10.7a
10.8a
Albizia
10.0a
13.2a
13.9a
12.7a
7.5ab
8.6a
10.7a
10.7a
Parkia
8.9b
12.0b
13.1b
11.8b
7.0b
8.2a
10.1b
10.3a
SE±
0.27
0.24
0.28
0.29
0.21
0.25
0.18
0.24
Nitrogen(N) Kg ha-1
0
8.4b
11.4b
13.0a
11.0b
7.3a
8.5a
10.5a
10.3a
40
9.4a
12.4a
13.2a
12.1a
7.5a
8.8a
10.5a
10.7a
80
9.2ab
12.6a
13.5a
12.4a
7.2a
8.3a
10.4a
10.7a
120
9.6a
12.6a
13.3a
12.7a
7.4a
8.4a
10.6a
10.5a
SE±
0.32
0.30
0.35
0.33
0.26
0.29
0.22
0.27
Variety (V)
DMR- ESR- 7
9.1a
12.1a
12.7b
11.5b
7.1a
8.4a
10.5a
9.9b
2009 EVAT
9.2a
12.4a
13.8a
12.6a
7.6a
8.6a
10.5a
11.3a
SE±
0.24
0.23
0.22
0.24
0.17
0.21
0.16
0.15
Interaction
B x N
S*
S*
NS
S*
NS
NS
NS
NS
B x V
S*
S*
S*
NS
S*
NS
NS
S*
V x N
S*
S*
NS
NS
NS
NS
NS
S*
Means followed by the same letter(s) within the same column and treatment are not significantly different at 5 % level of probability using DMRT WAP: Weeks after
planting. S* Significant at 5 % level of probability. NS: Not significant.
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Oyebamiji et al.
Table 5: Influence of leafy biomass and nitrogen rate on leaf area index (LAI) of two maize varieties in 2014 and 2015
Leaf area index
2014
2015
Treatment
4 WAP
6 WAP
8 WAP
10 WAP
4 WAP
6 WAP
8 WAP
10 WAP
Biomass (B)
Control
0.187b
0.106b
0.184b
0.190ab
0.100a
0.485b
0.748b
0.865a
Albizia
0.233a
0.164a
0.221a
0.215a
0.087ab
0.630a
0.879a
0.906a
Parkia
0.196b
0.114b
0.192b
0.178b
0.081b
0.518b
0.779ab
0.699b
SE±
0.0139
0.0076
0.0136
0.0139
0.0054
0.0236
0.0422
0.0443
Nitrogen(N) Kg ha-1
0
0.129b
0.105b
0.127b
0.124b
0.084a
0.513a
0.720a
0.693b
40
0.214a
0.133a
0.214a
0.200a
0.092a
0.540a
0.792a
0.857a
80
0.248a
0.134a
0.226a
0.226a
0.091a
0.585a
0.857a
0.847a
120
0.230a
0.140a
0.230a
0.228a
0.091a
0.538a
0.839a
0.897a
SE±
0.0128
0.0103
0.0124
0.0129
0.0066
0.0306
0.0494
0.0536
Variety (V)
DMR- ESR- 7
0.195a
0.131a
0.187b
0.181b
0.088a
0.518a
0.787a
0.746b
2009 EVAT
0.215a
0.125a
0.211a
0.209a
0.091a
0.571a
0.817a
0.091a
SE±
0.0118
0.0075
0.0112
0.0114
0.0047
0.0176
0.0347
0.0375
Interaction
B x N
S*
S*
S*
S*
NS
S*
S*
S*
B x V
S*
S*
S*
S*
S*
S*
NS
S*
V x N
S*
S*
S*
S*
NS
NS
NS
S*
WAP: Weeks after planting. S* Significant at 5 % level of probability. NS: Not significant.
Means followed by the same letter(s) within the same column and treatment are not significantly different at 5 % level of probability using DMRT.
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African Journal of Agriculture Technology and Environment Vol. 6(1): 67-78 June, 2017
Table 6: Influence of leafy biomass and nitrogen rate on total dry matter (TDM) per plant (g) of two maize varieties in 2014 and 2015
Total dry matter per plant
2014
2015
Treatment
4 WAP
6 WAP
8 WAP
10 WAP
4 WAP
6 WAP
8 WAP
10 WAP
Biomass (B)
Control
13.9c
58.0b
88.3b
123.5b
7.0a
60.9b
87.4b
130.8a
Albizia
21.9a
81.3a
116.1a
157.8a
6.3a
83.4a
107.5a
127.0a
Parkia
18.7b
67.3ab
93.9b
136.5ab
5.8a
41.5c
65.9c
94.5b
SE±
1.09
6.42
8.48
12.63
0.57
4.95
6.96
8.79
Nitrogen(N) Kg ha-1
0
15.1c
49.0b
66.9b
87.0b
6.2a
57.6b
81.5b
101.2b
40
16.7bc
75.0a
109.5a
140.7a
6.5a
52.6b
73.8b
106.3b
80
18.7ab
68.7ab
106.9a
155.7a
6.8a
55.9b
78.5b
125.0ab
120
22.0a
82.8a
114.5a
173.7a
6.1a
81.5a
113.8a
137.2a
SE±
1.36
7.04
8.97
12.49
0.71
6.50
8.15
10.32
Variety (V)
DMR- ESR- 7
18.1a
68.0a
96.7a
145.2a
6.4a
57.2a
77.7b
102.6b
2009 EVAT
18.2a
69.8a
102.2a
133.3a
6.4a
66.6a
96.1a
132.3a
SE±
1.07
5.41
7.18
10.52
0.50
4.78
5.98
7.28
Interaction
B x N
S*
S*
S*
S*
S*
S*
S*
S*
B x V
S*
S*
NS
S*
NS
S*
S*
S*
V x N
S*
S*
S*
S*
NS
S*
S*
S*
WAP: Weeks after planting. S* Significant at 5 % level of probability. NS: Not significant.
Means followed by the same letter(s) within the same column and treatment are not significantly different at 5 % level of probability using DMRT.
75

DISCUSSION
Incorporation of Albizia lebbeck biomass
performed better due to better quality
materials which are resident in it. It contain
higher average N content of (3.24 %) and
(18.64 %) and lower average C: N (5.75)
(Table 2) than Parkia biglobosa materials
(Giller and Wilson, 1991; (Oyebamiji et al.,
2017), also reported that plant residues with a
smaller C: N (< 30:1) is liable to decompose
more rapidly with a net mineralization of N
after incorporation into the soil. Hence, N is
rapidly released and made readily available
for crops.
The general performance of maize plants was
discovered to be higher in Albizia lebbeck on
plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf
area index and total dry matter per plant.
Maize plants in plots that received biomass
performed better than the control. This
tremendous performance was noted by their
higher or taller plant, large number of leaves,
higher leaf area index and more dry matter
plant in Albizia lebbeck amended plots than in
plots with Parkia biglobosa. The better
performance in terms of growth in biomass
treated plots contributed to the increase in the
amount of N fixed by the biomass and
quantity of N derived from the decomposition
of the incorporated biomass. Green manure in
form of biomass or litter generally has the
capacity to improve soil nitrogen content
(Push- pavalli et al., 1994) because nitrogen is
widely recognized as the major macro nutrient
required for plant growth.
The response of maize to nitrogen application
agrees with Daudu (2004) and Cherr et al.,
(2006) that maize growth is significantly
influenced by biomass or litter used.
Vegetative growth and development of maize
was stimulated by the application of nitrogen
which enhanced the increase as observed in
plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index
and total dry matter per plant. Increase in
growth components revealed the essentiality
of nitrogen as a protein constituent and
important component of many other
compounds needed for plant growth processes
(Onasanya et al., 2009). The poor plant
growth and low productivity observed in
control was due to poor photosynthetic
activity for its optimum production.
However, 2009 EVAT and DMR-ESR-7 were
both similar in terms of vegetative and yield
characters, and this agrees with Namakka
(2002) who reported that the growth
components of these maize varieties have the
same genetic make-up except in their colour
differences (white and yellow).
CONCLUSION
The soil is sandy loam and acidic in nature.
Incorporation of Albizia lebbeck into the soil
improved the soil quality for better growth.
However, application of 120 kg N ha-1 is
found to be the best and suitable rate for both
2009 EVAT and DMR-ESR-7 maize
production. The use of biomass alone can
enhance growth in maize but better when
combined with nitrogen fertilizer.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We acknowledge the support of TETFUND
and the Federal University Dutsinma for
providing support for the completion of this
work.
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