Utilization of Parkia biglobosa Leaves as Green Manure for the Fertilization of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the use of Parkia biglobosa leaves as a source of organic nutrients for maize production. Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was carried out at the research field of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lagos State Field Office, Nigeria during the early planting season (March/April) of 2018. Methodology: A field research was carried out to compare the growth and yield of maize when Parkia biglobosa leaves and inorganic fertilizer were used as nutrients sources. Four factorial treatments combinations of Parkia biglobosa leaves, NPK fertilizer, combined Parkia biglobosa leaves and NPK fertilizer, and a control experiment was ordered in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates. The plants height, number of leaves and surface areas were recorded at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after planting while the maize yields were considered at the end of the experiment. Results: The study showed that the treatment with the combination of Parkia biglobosa leaves and inorganic fertilizer produced the highest indexes of plant tallness, foliage number and surface areas.  Maize yields of 2816.66, 2700, 2316.66 and 1566.66 kg/ha were recorded from treatments with Parkia biglobosa leaves and inorganic fertilizer combination, inorganic fertilizer, Parkia biglobosa leaves and the control experiment, respectively. Conclusion: These results reflected that the incorporated effect of Parkia biglobosa leaves and inorganic fertilizer at the rate of 50:50 gives the best maize growth and yield index.