Effects of Different Levels of Phosphorous and Zinc Fertilizers on the Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) on Luvisols in Northern Guinea Savannah Region of Nigeria

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the effects of different levels of phosphorous and zinc fertilizers on the yield and nutrient uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) The experiments were  conducted in a factorial experiment under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to determine the effect of P and Zn applications on TZL white composite improved variety            of maize. Four levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg P ha-1) and three levels of zinc (0, 5 and 10kg Zn ha-1) were applied on experimental plots of 4.5m x 5m replicated thrice.  The results shows no significant differences in both the  years however, highest mean values of 2327.5 kg ha-1  and 2191.5 kg ha-1 was recorded at 20 kg P ha-1 and 10 kg Zn ha-1 Application of P and Zn at different rates increases their uptake in the stover with highest values of 22.57 mg -1 kg  and 7.8 mg -1 kg  in 2018  at 30 kg Pha-1 and 18.40 mg -1 kg  and 5.21 mg -1 kg  at 20 kg Pha-1  in 2019. While 26.54 mg -1 kg and 21.85 mg -1 kg in 2018 at 10 kg Znha-1 and 6.76 mg -1 kg and 5.27 mg -1 kg in 2019 with 0 kg Znha-1 respectively. It is therefore recommended the best results of the application of 30kg P ha-1 and 10 kg Zn ha -1 should be adopted for optimum yield of maize.