EFFECT OF FARMYARD MANURE AND NITROGEN FERTILIZER RATES ON GROWTH, YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) AT SOROBO, KONSO ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the world’s widely grown cereal and primary staple food crop in many developing countries. However, its productivity is limited due to different factors and low soil fertility is the most and fundamental factor affecting maize production. The study was conducted to determine the effect of N-fertilizer (Urea) and farmyard manure (FYM) rates on growth, yield and yield components of maize. Factorial combination of three rates of FYM (0, 15, 30 ton ha-1) and four rates of Nitrogen (0, 23, 46, 69 kg ha-1) were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications each containing twelve treatments during 2020/21 cropping season at Sorobo, Konso Zone of SNNPRS. Plant height, phenology, yield and yield component data were collected and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result showed that maize height, ears per plant, grain yield, 100 seed weight, harvested dry biomass, and harvest index increased with interacting rates of FYM and N-fertilizer while early in days to 50% tasselling and 50% silking, higher shelling percentage and stubble yield were due to increasing rates of FYM and N-fertilizer alone. The maximum values of height (2.8m), emerged (3.2) and matured ears (1.8), grain yield (7 t ha-1), 100 seed weight (25.2 g), dry biomass (16.5 t ha-1), and harvest index (42.5%) of maize with economic values of gross income (230400 ETB ha-1) and net benefit (221960.8 ETB ha 1 ) were recorded from interaction of 69 Kg N ha-1 with 30 t ha-1 FYM which were greater than control and lower combined rates. Finally, it was concluded that maize height, number of days to 50% tasselling and 50% silking, yield and yield component, gross and net benefits were significantly affected due to main and interaction effect of FYM and N-rates. Further studies on more rates of N and FYM, different crops and maize varieties, ecological zones, locations and growing seasons should be carried out in order to support and improve findings of this result and to make complete recommendation.