RESIDUAL EFFECT OF BIOAMENDMENT AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZER

ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted in the University of Benin, Benin City, to determine the residual effect of bioamendment and chemical fertilizer in ameliorating phosphorus deficiency in maize (Zea mays) grown on acid soils. The experimental site University of Benin Teaching and Research Farm (UBTRIP) was already an established field and maintenance was carried out on it manually by clearing of vegetation with machetes. Seedbed preparations were constructed using weeding hoe. The experimental fields were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD); with spacing of 2.5m for a block, 2m in between blocks vertically and horizontally respectively, and 1m alleyway round the plot. The treatments were: (T1= Control), (T2= Soil + Bacillus spp + Pseudomonas spp and Klebsiella spp), and (T3= Soil + NPK + Pseudomonas spp and Klebsiella spp) the soil sample was taken to the laboratory for analysis using standard procedures before the experiment. The maize plant parameters measured were; number of leaves, plant height, leaf area and stem girth. Results obtained from the experiment showed that soil previously inoculated with the various treatments except for control had low value of Organic C and Matter, N, available P, Ca, K, Mg and Na before the planting. However, the concentration of these nutrients in the soil decreased in amount as the time of the experiment progresses till termination. There were no observable changes in the soil textural class throughout the experimental period. The growth of maize plant was enhanced with treatments T2 and T3.