This study was carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm of Delta State University, Asaba Campus (Nigeria) from March to December in 2008 and replicated between March and December, 2009, to ...evaluate the effects of variety and spacing on yield indices of Open-pollinated maize. It was a factorial experiment carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates. Four open-pollinated varieties (Suwan -1- SR, ACR97, BR9922-DMRSF2 and AMATZBRC2WB) were evaluated under three different plant spacing for such yield indices as number of cobs/plant, cob length, grain weight and number of grains/cob of maize. The results obtained indicated that variety BR9922-DMRSF2 was outstanding with number of cobs/plant of 1.7 in both 2008 and 2009, cob length of 27.7 cm and 26.7 cm in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Its grain weight was 4.7 t/ha in 2008 and 4.9 t/ha in 2009, and its number of grain/cob was 467.7 in 2008, and 463.9 in 2009. Plants sown at spacing of 75 cm x 15cm had higher number of cobs/plant of 1.9 in both 2008 and 2009.Their grain weights (t/ha) were 5.0 in 2008 and 5.2 in 2009, their cob lengths were 18.6cm in 2008 and 20.1cm in 2009, while their number of grains/cob were 363.0 in 2008, and 369.0 in 2009. The results of interaction showed that except variety x space, the parameters investigated were all significantly (P < 0.05) different and affected yield indices of open-pollinated maize. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that (i) open-pollinated variety BR9922-DMRF2 be grown in the study area for increased grain yield indices of maize. (ii) Plant spacing of 75 cm x 15 cm which resulted in higher number of cobs/plant and higher grain weight be adopted in maize production.
This study was carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm of Delta State University, Asaba Campus from March 2008 to December 2009 to evaluate the response of maize varieties to three different ...plant spacings. It was a factorial experiment carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. Ten maize varieties were evaluated under three different plant spacings for their percentage emergence and grain weight. The results of percentage emergence showed that open-pollinated variety BR9922-DMRSF2 which had 93.2% in 2008 and 93.8% in 2009 had highest percentage emergence. The results obtained from the grain weights indicated that hybrid variety 9022-13 that was sown at 75cm x 15cm which yielded 6.3 tha-1 in 2008 and 6.4 tha-1 in 2009 was superior, followed by open-pollinated variety BR9922-DMRSF2 which yielded 4.7tha-1 in 2008 and 4.9tha-1 in 2009. The effects of interaction showed that variety and space were significantly (p<0.05) different and positively affected maize grain weight. Based on the study, it is recommended that (i) Hybrid maize variety 9022-13 which was outstanding in grain weight be grown in the study area. Alternatively, farmers who prefer open-pollinated varieties could grow BR9922-DMRSF2. (ii) Spacing of 75cm x 15cm which resulted in better percentage emergence and highest grain weight be adopted in maize production.
This study was carried out in Teaching and Research Farm of Delta State University, Asaba Campus from March, 2008 to June, 2010 to evaluate the effects of variety and spacing on growth characters of ...hybrid maize. It was a factorial experiment carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Three hybrid maize varieties were evaluated under three different plant spacing for such growth characters as plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and stem girth. The results obtained during the 8th week after sowing indicated that hybrid variety 9022-13 which had mean plant height of 170.0cm number of leaves of 13.2, leaf area of 673.2cm2 and stem girth of 99.4mm was superior to other varieties investigated. With respect to spacing, plants sown on 75 cm x 15 cm had higher mean height and number of leaves of 176.7 cm and 13.8, respectively while plants sown on spacing of 75 cm x 35 cm had higher mean leaf area of 713.7 cm2 and stem girth of 99.4mm, respectively. Results of interaction showed that variety and spacing were significantly (P<0.05) different in 2008 and 2009. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that (i) hybrid variety 9022-13 be grown in the study area of enhanced growth characters which interplay to improve grain yield of maize (ii) spacing of 75 cm x 35 cm be used to enhance increased stem girth and leaf area whose photosynthetic activities could positively influence maize yield.
This study carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm of Delta state University, Asaba Campus from March 2008 to June, 2010 to evaluate the effects of variety, organic manure and inorganic ...fertilizer on number of grain/cob of maize. The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times in a factorial layout. Four different rates of poultry manure, cattle dung and NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer were applied to three different maize varieties sown at 75cm x 15 cm and evaluated for number of grains/cob. The result obtained indicated that hybrid variety, 9022-13, which had 5090, was superior. Also, plants that received inorganic fertilizer were outstanding in number of grains/cob with values of 441.5 in 2008 and 506.0 in 2009 followed by the plants received poultry manure (444.0 in 2008 and 468.0 in 2009). Based on the rates of application of manure/inorganic fertilizer, plants that received 450kgha-1 of NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer were outstanding in numbers of grains/cob of maize with values of 532.8 in 2008 and 570.8 in 2009. The results of interaction showed that variety, manure type and rates of application were significantly (p<0.05) different. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that (i) Hybrid variety 9022-13 should be grown in Asaba area. (ii) NPK 20: 10:10 mineral fertilizers should be applied at the rate of 450kgha-1 to enhance maize yield.
This study was carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm of Delta State. University, Asaba campus (Nigeria) from March 2008 to June 2010 to evaluate the nutrient content (% dry matter) of maize ...as affected by different levels of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer. The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times in a factorial layout. Four different rates of poultry droppings, cattle dung and NPK 20: 10: 10 fertilizer were applied to three maize varieties sown at 75 cm x 15 cm spacing and the maize grains produced were evaluate for their nutrient content in percentage dry matter. The results obtained indicated that hybrid variety 9022-13 had the highest N, P and K contents (1.03, 1.68 and 0.26, respectively). Also, plants that received inorganic fertilizer had the highest values of 1.27% N, 1.64% P and 0.29% K. Based on rates of application, plants that received 450 kgha-1 NPK 20: 10: 10 fertilizer had the highest values of 1.74% N, 1.71% P and 0.49% K. The interaction effects showed that only variety, manure type and rates % application were significant (P < 0.05). Based on this study, it is recommended that (i) Hybrid variety, 9022-13, which was outstanding in its nutrient content be grown in the study area. Alternatively, farmers who prefer open-pollinated varieties could grow BR 9922-DMRSF2 or Agbor local variety for people who prefer local varieties in maize production (ii) Spacing of 75 cm x 15 cm (88, 888 plants/ha) which resulted in better growth performance and yield should be adopted in maize production (iii) Farmers who prefer mineral fertilizer for increased growth and yield of maize should apply 450 kg ha-1 of NPK 20: 10: 10 (iv) Farmers who practice organic agriculture in Asaba agro-ecological zone should apply 30 tha-1 of poultry manure to enhance maize yield.
A study was carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm of Delta State University, Asaba Campus from August to December in 2005 and repeated between March and July, 2006 to evaluate the response of ...maize (Zea mays) to liquid organic fertilizer. The study was conducted using a split plot fitted into randomized complete block design. Liquid organic fertilizer was diluted at the rate of 60 ml of the product to 15 litres of water and applied to maize foliage, topsoil, foliage and topsoil at the rates of 5l/ha, 10l/ha, 151/ha, l8l/ha, 201/ha and 251/ha. The result obtained indicated a positive influence of liquid organic fertilizer on time of tasselling, time of silking and grain yield of maize. Liquid organic fertilizer significantly reduced the times of tasselling and silking, and increased grain yield of maize. Based on this study, it is recommended that 151/ha of liquid organic fertilizer which produced 5.6tha' in 2005 and 6.1tha' of dry grain yield 2006 be applied on the topsoil of maize plant with a view to maximally exploit the great economic potentials of the crop.
Studies were conducted to test the effectiveness of native soap against cowpea insect pests during the late cowpea cropping season in two agro-ecological zones-Asaba and Abraka, Delta State. Four ...major insect pests, namely the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, the legume flower bud thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti Tryb, the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fab and pod sucking bugs were studied. The experiment was made up of five treatments-1, 2 and 3 percent concentrations of native soap, cypermethrin (as conventional chemical and check) and a control. Each treatment was replicated three times. The experiment was arranged into a randomised complete block design (RCBD). The results showed that all the major insect pests occurred in the study areas but were more at Asaba compared to Abraka. Native soap was effective against A. craccivora and flower bud thrips population at Asaba. Maruca vitrata was not affected by soap application. Grain yield was high at Abraka and significantly (P<0.05) higher than Asaba. The use of native soap as non-conventional insecticide in cowpea insect pests management appears promising, more so as it is not expensive and safe to handle. Farmers may prefer it to synthetic chemical pesticides with their associated dangers.
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