Tropentag, October 5 - 7, 2004 in Berlin "Rural Poverty Reduction through Research for Development and Transformation"

Effect of Different Sources and Rates of Nitrogen Fertiliser on Growth and Yield of Sweet Corn

¹University of Ibadan, Department of Agronomy, Nigeria
²National Horticultural Research Institute, Vegetable Production, Nigeria

Abstract

Rapid nitrate leaching due to current nitrogen management practices under the humid tropical environmental condition of the south western Nigeria, may contaminate fresh and salt water resources. It is becoming a major public concern because underground water is the sole source of fresh water especially in the south western part of Nigeria. Field studies were carried during the cropping seasons at Ibadan south western Nigeria to examine the effect of different sources and rates of nitrogen fertiliser on growth and yield of sweet corn. The main objectives of the study were to examine the use of organomineral fertiliser as a possible management alternative for reducing nitrate leaching due to nitrogen fertiliser applications as a result of applied inorganic fertiliser while also providing sufficient nitrogen for crop growth.

The effect of organomineral fertiliser and availability of nitrogen at rates up to 120kgN/ha was also evaluated in the trial.The result favoured production of sweet corn at 120kg N/ha. Highest total dry matter was obtained at 120kg N/ha. The fresh cob weight of 14 tonnes and 17 tonnes/ha was obtained from 80kg and 120kg N/ha respectively while the chemical fertiliser treated plants produce the optimum grain yield.

The result suggests that the application of organomineral fertiliser may be a useful management practice to reduce nitrate leaching losses, improve soil structure and also reduce production cost by reducing the use of expensive inorganic fertiliser with the additional advantage of cleaning environment through the use of organic waste.

Keywords: Nitrogen rate, organomineral, sweetcorn

Contact Address: Amudalat Olaniyan, University of Ibadan, Department of Agronomy, Ibadan, Nigeria, e-mail: abolaniyanyahoo.com