This study,which was aimed at evaluating the effect of poultry dung manure on the growth of zea mays (maize).was conducted at the Screen house,Department of plant biology and Biotechnology,University of Benin, Benin City. The experiment were carried out using poultry manure in various grams. That is; 30g,50g,80g and 100g in three replicates and 12 bags (control)without manure. The soil depth varies for each grams of manure, that is; 2cm soil depth for 30g manure,3cm soil depth for 50g manure, 4cm soil depth for 80g manure and 100g manure for 5cm soil depth. The same soil depth was repeated for the bags without manure and was aswell replicated. The parameters measured include; Chlorophyll contents of the plant, soil pH, Moisture contents of the soil and plant , Light, Number of leaves,fresh and dry weight of the plant biomass and germination. All records were taken for both with manure and without manure. Some significant differences were observed between the control(without manure)and treatment(with manure) for all the parameters taken,such as;stem girth,Number of leaves,chlorophyll contents,Germination etc.. It was observed that the 12 bags containing the manure (treatments)had increased number of leaves,stem girth and rapid germination aswell as increased number in the fresh and dry weight, than the 12 bags without manure (Control).
A total of 24 planting bags were used,12 bags with manure(treatment) and 12 bags without manure (control) to carry out the experiment.
From this research carried out and from my findings and observation,Poultry manure is highly recommended to farmers for optimum growth of maize plant(Zea mays).
