EFFECT OF TILLAGE AND PLANTING DENSITY ON TERMITE INCIDENCE ON MAIZE (Zea mays)

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out in the Teaching and Research farm of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin in 2023 to study the Effect of Tillage and Planting Density on Termite Incidence on Maize. The experimental design was a 2 x 3 factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. Treatment consisted of tillage (Factor A) at 2 levels namely; flat and ridge and Planting density (Factor B) at 3 levels such as; 75x25cm, 100x30cm and 60x20cm. Data collected were on termite incidence and severity, plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, soil fertility status and yield. All data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) as applied by Steel and Torrie (1980) and analyzed using GenStat Analytical software version 2.0. The results show that tillage had little or no effect on termite incidence and severity, however flat recorded least severity (1.89) while ridge recorded higher severity (2.84). Planting density of 100x30cm recorded least termite severity (1.67) than other treatments; this was followed by 75x25cm (1.83) planting density. The effects of the treatment on yield indicated that planting density of 75x25cm produced a better cob yield (1.42kg) after harvest. From the results of the experiment, it is recommended that planting density of 100x30cm is best for maize on heavily termite infested soil and 75x25cm for moderately infested soils.