Influence of Tithonia Diversifolia on Maize (Zea mays L.) Yield, Fertility and Infiltration Status of Two Clay Varied Soils

Olufemi Gabriel Dayo-Olagbende; Oluwawemimo Omowumi Akingbola; Gbolahan Saheed Afolabi; Babatunde Sunday Ewulo

doi:10.21467/ias.8.1.114-119

Authors

Olufemi Gabriel Dayo-Olagbende Federal University of Technology Akure
Oluwawemimo Omowumi Akingbola Federal University of Technology Akure
Gbolahan Saheed Afolabi Federal University of Technology Minna
Babatunde Sunday Ewulo Federal University of Technology Akure

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21467/ias.8.1.114-119

Abstract

Towards a more sustainable soil management through recycling of readily available weeds in Akure, Nigeria, different rates of Tithonia diversifolia (tithonia) were compared on a field trial to evaluate its effect on soil properties. The experiment was sited at two locations in South gate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Prior to the field establishment, a composite soil sample was collected and analyzed for physico-chemical properties. The sites were cleared and tilled. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The treatments consisted of three levels of tithonia application which are 0, 3 and 6 t ha^-1. Each experimental unit size was 2 m x 2 m with 1 m alleyway. Maize (Zea mays L. var.TZB-SR) seeds were sown at a spacing of 75 cm by 25 cm and 10 were randomly sampled per plot for growth and yield parameters. Data were collected on maize yield and soil physical and chemical properties after harvest to ascertain sustainability of the mulch material after cropping. Application of tithonia mulch improved growth, and yield indices of maize as well as soil physical and chemical properties. The contents of soil total N, exchangeable cations, , CEC, Organic matter content, total porosity, moisture content and infiltration rate were found to significantly (p>0.05) increase in treatments with tithonia mulch. The best result was from the application rate 6 tha^-1 because it improved and left the soil conserved after harvesting maize. Similar trends were observed at the two sites despite variation in inherent soil properties.

Keywords:

Maize, mulch, organic matter, soil, physico-chemical, Tithonia diversifolia, Tithonia.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

O. O. Akingbola, A.J. Adeyemo, S.O. Oladele and S.O. Ojeniyi. “Physical Status and Infiltration Dynamics of Tropical Alfisol of South- Western Nigeria as Affected by Poultry Manure,” Appl Trop Agri. vol 21 issues 2, pp. 102-111, 2016.

M. B. Sharu, M. Yakubu, S. S. Noma, and A. I. Tsafe. “Characterization and Classification of Soils on an Agricultural landscape in Dingyadi District, Sokoto State, Nigeria,” Nig J B Appl Sci. vol 21 issues 2 pp. 137-147. June 2013.

A.J. Adeyemo, O.O. Akingbola, and S.O. Ojeniyi. “Effects of poultry manure on soil infiltration, organic matter contents and maize performance on two contrasting degraded alfisols in southwestern Nigeria.” Int J Recycl Org W Agri, pp.1-8. 27 May 2019.

G. Zenawi and A. Mizan. “Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on the Growth and Seed Yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.),” Int J Agro, Volume 2019, Article ID 5027254, pp.7, 2019.

J.M. Alston and P.G. Pardey. “Agriculture in the Global Economy.” J Econ Persp. vol 28 issue 1, pp. 121–146. 2014.

T.O. Amodu, G.O. Dayo- Olagbende and O.O. Akingbola. “Effect of Selected Organic Residues and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Performance of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus).” Sust Food Prod. vol 5, pp.17-23. 11 January 2019.

FAO, IFAD, WFP. “The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2012: Economic growth is necessary but not sufficient to accelerate reduction of hunger and malnutrition.” Rome, FAO. 2012.

T.L. Roberts. “The role of fertilizer in growing the world’s food. Top Crop Manager.” 2010.

S.L. McGeehan. “Impact of Waste Materials and Organic Amendments on Soil Properties and Vegetative Performance.” Appl Env Soil Sci. Article ID 907831.pp 11. 2012.

Y. Chen, M. Camps-Arbestain, Q. Shen, B. Singh, M. Luz Cayuela, “The long-term role of organic amendments in building soil nutrient fertility: a meta-analysis and review.” Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst, vol 111, pp.103–125. 4 January 2018.

S.M. Eldridge, K.Y. Chan, N.J. Donovan, F. Saleh, L. Orr, I. Barchia. “Agronomic and economic benefits of green-waste compost for peri-urban vegetable production implications for food security.” Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst, vol 111, pp.155–173. 25 June, 2018.

L.X. León Castro, and J. K. Whalen. “Nitrogen Supply from Green Manure Enhanced with Increased Tillage Frequency: A Note.” Agron. J., vol 111, pp. 935-941. 2019.

O. O. Akingbola and G.O. Dayo-Olagbende. “Green manuring to a better soil physical condition.” Agri. Res. Tech.: Open Access J. vol 11 issues 3, Article ID 5558132017. 31 August, 2017.

T.T. Nguyen, S. Fuentes and P.Marschner. “Effect of incorporated or mulched compost on leaf nutrient concentrations and performance of Vitis vinifera cv. Merlot.” J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr, vol 13 issues 2. 2013.

P. C. Eze, A. J. Odofin, I.N. Onyekwere, J. J. Musa, and P. A. Tsado. “Influence of Rice Husk - Mulch on Soil Water Balance Components under Sorghum and Millet Crops in Maiduguri, Semi Arid Northeast Nigeria.” J Exp Agri Intl, vol 33 issues 4, pp.1-7. 2019.

R. Chemutai, J. Mwine, R. Awichi, and G. Bwogi. “Effects of NPK and plant tea manure (Tithonia diversifolia) on growth rate of amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) in soilless growing media.” Afri J Agri Res, vol 14 issues 27, pp. 1169-1179, 2019.

Jama, B., Palm, C.A., Buresh, R.J. et al. Agroforestry Systems (2000) 49: 201.

A. M. Mazen D.E.M. Radwan and A.F. Ahmed. “Growth Responses of Maize Plants Cultivated in Sandy Soil Amended by Different Superabsorbant Hydrogels,” J. Plant Nutri., vol 38 issues 3, pp 325-337. 2015.

F.Y.B. Anifowose and F. Kolawole. ‘Tectono-Hydrological Study of Akure Metropolis, Southwestern Nigeria.Hydrology for Disaster Management.” Spec Pub Nig Ass Hydro Sci. pp. 106-120, 2012.

T.M. Agbede, A.O Adekiya and J.S Ogeh. “ Response of soil properties and yam yield to Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) and Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae) mulches.” Arch Agro Soil Sci, vol. 60 issues 2, pp. 209-224, 2014.

D. W. Nelson, and L. E. Sommers “Total carbon, organic carbon and organic matter. In: Page, A. L, R.H. Miller and D.R.Keeney (eds). Methods of Soil Analysis, part 2.” Ame Soc Agro, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp 539-579.

Y. Zhang, M. Xiao, Y. Dong and Y. Jiang. Determination of Soil Exchangeable Base Cations by Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and Extraction with Ammonium Acetate. Guang pu xue yu guang pu fen xi = Guang pu, vol 32 pp 2242-2245. 2012.

J. Bremner. “Determination of nitrogen in soil by the Kjeldahl method.” J Agri Sci, vol 55 issues 1 pp. 11-33. 1960.

B. Vaughan, J. Denning and H. Frank. “ Bray and Kurtz phosphorus (p1), 1m potassium chloride, and saturated calcium oxide extraction of soil nitrate comparison to 2m potassium chloride, Comm in Soil Sci and Plant Ana, vol 26 issues 3-4, pp. 453-457. 1995.

G.O. Dayo- Olagbende , O.O. Akingbola, B.S. Ewulo “Combined Effects of Tithonia Mulch and Urea Fertilizer on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties and Maize Performance,” Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, Volume 10 issue 1, pp 86-93. 2019.

E. Solomon. “Combined Application of Phosphorus Fertilizer with Tithonia Biomass Improves Grain Yield and Agronomic Phosphorus Use Efficiency of Hybrid Maize,” Int J Agro, vol. 2019, Article ID 6167384, 9 pages.