THE COB AND GRAIN YIELD OF MAIZE FROM A SINGLE DOSE OF UREA APPLICATION BETWEEN TWO FARMS.

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted in Ugbowo, Benin city with the aim to determine the cob and grain yield of maize at a single dose of urea application in two farms. Soil samples were taken from 5 points on the farm at 0-15cm. They were air-dried, crushed and sieved then placed in poly bags.The soil samples were bulked to make composite samples which were taken to the laboratory for analysis using standard procedures. Some of the parameters analyzed are the soil pH, Total nitrogen, Total organic carbon (TOC), Available phosphorus, Particle size distribution and various micro and macro nutrient. The soil analysis carried out showed that the soil was loamy sand in texture. The soil pH in water was 5.35 and was found to be strongly acid. It was also shown that the organic carbon (9.60) was low for both farms. Subsequently, the study investigated the effect of a single dose of urea application on cob and grain yield of maize between two farms. It was observed that a single dose of urea application had no significant difference on the cob and grain yield of maize between the two farms. Although when compared, the highest cob weight was recorded in Farm B,Rep 1 with a mean value of 2.10kg compared to any replicates in farm A while the highest grain weight was recorded in Rep 1 with a mean value of 1.03kg. Farm B had its highest cob and grain yield in Rep 1 with a mean value of 2.23kg and 1.15kg respectively. This suggests that Rep 1 in Farm B was more productive than any Rep in Farm A. It was concluded that this might be due to the low nutrient status of the soil observed in the soil analysis carried out and the use of a single dose of urea as many findings suggest that the best cob and grain yield of maize is obtained with increase in urea fertilizer. It may be recommended that an increase of the rate of urea fertilizer for maize cultivation for yield improvement.