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ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to evaluate the effects of poultry manure soil on growth of maize. The experiment was carried out Soil Science Teaching and Research Farm Faculty of Agriculture University of Benin. The treatments were T1 (5 cm), T2 (10cm), T3 (15cm), T4 (20cm), T5 (25cm), T6 (30cm), C1 (5m away from poultry site), C2 (10m away from poultry site) and C3 (without poultry soil). It was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Three crop parameters were assessed to achieve the objectives of the study-plants height, number of leaves and leaf area. The soil chemical physical and chemical properties were also examined. The result also revealed that the maize plants treated with 5cm (T1) depth of soil from poultry site produced the highest (11.3) number of leaves while the least (9.1) number of leaves were recorded in maize plants 10m away from poultry dungs site (C3=control). The result revealed that the maize plants treated with 5cm (T1) depth of soil from poultry site at week 6 after sowing produced the highest (135cm) plant height while the lowest (114cm) plant height were recorded in maize plants 10m away from poultry dungs site (C3=control). Application of poultry site soil increased soil pH, organic matter content, total –N, available P, exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, and K), cation exchange capacity and percent base saturation. The results indicated positive response of maize to poultry manure soil. Plants that received 5cm depth of poultry manure soil were superior in the parameters assessed.Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that farmers’ apply 5cm depth of poultry manure soil as a replacement to poultry to enhance growth and yield of maize in Benin area of Edo State, Nigeria.
