Effect of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on the Growth and Production Parameters of Maize (Zea mays L.) at Djalingo in the North Region of Cameroon

Abstract

In Cameroon, maize (Zea mays L.) remains the staple food crop the most consumed in the northern part of that country. Therefore, investigation of the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers applied singly or in combination on growth and production parameters of TZEE-W maize variety was carried out from June to September 2015 in the locality of Djalingo in the North region of Cameroon. Field experiments were designed in Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three replicates treatments single or combinations of organic manures (Cow dung, Poultry manure and Cotton crab) with the inorganic fertilizer (NPK 150 kg/ha). Plant maize receiving the mixture of mineral and organic fertilizers significantly improved their growth and production traits. The highest maize grain yield up to 6.33 tons/ha was registered in the maize plot treated with the mixture of 1/4 Cow dung + 1/4 Cotton crab +1/4 Poultry manure +1/4 NPK while a moderate maize grain yield of 3.87 and 3.76 tons/ha were obtained in the combination treatments of 1/2 Cotton crab+ 1/2 NPK treatment and 1/2 Cow dung + 1/2 NPK, respectively. Thus, fertilization strategies that mix inorganic fertilizer with organic manures should be developed and adopted by farmers to increase and improve maize yield, especially in the northern part of Cameroon where famine and poverty are recurrent.