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Succeeding-Season Effect of Mulching on the Performance of Maize (Zea mays) in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out during the 2017 cropping season as a follow-up research from the 2015 trials, at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. The objective was to evaluate the residual effect of mulching on the growth and yield of maize in the study area. It involved the re-use of an experimental layout, which had five treatments, 2 and 4 t/ha of both dead grasses (majorly Ageratum conyzoides and Imperata cylindrica) and saw dust (mostly hand held chain power saw wood shavings) as well as a control (no mulch application), which were replicated three times in a randomized complete block desigh (RCBD). Data was taken on number of leaves, plant height, stem girth, dry matter and grain yields. They were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Gen Stat statistical package and means were separated using Fisher’s least significant difference (F-LSD) at 5% level of probability. Results revealed that the residual effect of mulching significantly increased both maize growth and dry matter yield, with the highest grain yield obtained at 4 t/ha of saw dust.

Wuese ST*, Agabi ET and Ajon AT

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