Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The study focused on investigating the effect of composted municipal solid waste (MSW) and NPK fertilizer on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L) in Nsukka. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The treatments included T1 (Control), T2 (NPK fertilizer at recommended rate), T3 (Composted MSW at 10 t/ha), T4 (Composted MSW at 20 t/ha), T5 (Composted MSW at 10 t/ha + NPK fertilizer), and T6 (Composted MSW at 20 t/ha + NPK fertilizer). The parameters assessed included plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, cob length, cob diameter, number of kernels per cob, and grain yield. The results indicated that the application of composted MSW, NPK fertilizer, and their combinations significantly influenced the growth and yield parameters of maize. Plants treated with a combination of composted MSW at 20 t/ha and NPK fertilizer showed the highest plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, cob length, cob diameter, number of kernels per cob, and grain yield compared to other treatments. The synergistic effect of composted MSW and NPK fertilizer enhanced the nutrient availability in the soil, promoting better plant growth and higher yield. The application of composted MSW alone at 20 t/ha also showed significant improvement in growth parameters and yield compared to the control and NPK fertilizer alone treatments. This indicates that composted MSW can serve as an effective organic fertilizer for maize production. The incorporation of organic waste materials like composted MSW not only improves soil fertility but also reduces environmental pollution associated with waste disposal. Overall, the study demonstrated that the combined application of composted MSW and NPK fertilizer had a positive impact on the growth and yield of maize in Nsukka. Farmers can benefit from utilizing composted MSW as an alternative organic fertilizer to improve soil health and enhance crop productivity. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term effects of composted MSW on soil properties and crop performance to promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Thesis Overview

Municipalities are facing a growing problem of how to safely dispose off their wastes. Municipalsolid waste (MSW) is waste from households, commercial centres, institutions (school, offices).Composting is used to reduce huge pile of biodegradable MSW and convert it into value addedproduct like manure and biogas. Inorganic fertilizer such as NPK also exerts strong influence onplant growth, development and yield. Two year experiments were conducted in the Teaching andResearch Farm of Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria,Nsukka to determine the response of maize to MSW compost and NPK fertilizer application. A 4 x 4factorial experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was

used for the study.

The two factors were MSW (0, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 t/ha) and NPK (20:10:10) (0, 100,200 and 300 kg/ha). The following data were collected: leaf area, Plant height, stem girth, number ofleaves, days to first tasseling, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, ear weight, ear height, earcircumference, cob weight, 100 grain weight, grain yield and harvest index. Data collected weresubjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The means were separated using Fisher’s leastsignificant difference (F-LSD). Plant height, leaf area, number of leaves and stem girth increasedwith increase in NPK and MSW rates while days to tasselling and silking was reduced. The 100grain weight, grain yield per hectare and harvest index were significantly increased with increase inMSW and NPK rates. Proximate composition followed the same trend apart from carbohydratecontent which decreased with increase in application rates of MSW and NPK. Application of either2000 kg/ha MSW or 300 kg/ha NPK gave the highest yield of maize in 2011 and 2012.Complementary application of MSW and NPK was significantly higher than sole application.Combination of 2.0 t/ha MSW with 300 kg/ha NPK had significantly higher effect than othertreatment combination in both years and were found satisfactory for achieving high yields in maize.It is recommended that further research should be carried out to determine the optimum ratesrequired for maize production since performance increased up to the highest rates of MSW and NPK

fertilizer

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ABSTRACTMunicipalities are facing a growing problem of how to safely dispose off their wastes. Municipalsolid waste (MSW) is waste from households, commercial centres, institutions (school, offices).Composting is used to reduce huge pile of biodegradable MSW and convert it into value addedproduct like manure and biogas. Inorganic fertilizer such as NPK also exerts strong influence onplant growth, development and yield. Two year experiments were conducted in the Teaching andResearch Farm of Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria,Nsukka to determine the response of maize to MSW compost and NPK fertilizer application. A 4 x 4factorial experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was

used for the study.

The two factors were MSW (0, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 t/ha) and NPK (20:10:10) (0, 100,200 and 300 kg/ha). The following data were collected: leaf area, Plant height, stem girth, number ofleaves, days to first tasseling, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, ear weight, ear height, earcircumference, cob weight, 100 grain weight, grain yield and harvest index. Data collected weresubjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The means were separated using Fisher’s leastsignificant difference (F-LSD). Plant height, leaf area, number of leaves and stem girth increasedwith increase in NPK and MSW rates while days to tasselling and silking was reduced. The 100grain weight, grain yield per hectare and harvest index were significantly increased with increase inMSW and NPK rates. Proximate composition followed the same trend apart from carbohydratecontent which decreased with increase in application rates of MSW and NPK. Application of either2000 kg/ha MSW or 300 kg/ha NPK gave the highest yield of maize in 2011 and 2012.Complementary application of MSW and NPK was significantly higher than sole application.Combination of 2.0 t/ha MSW with 300 kg/ha NPK had significantly higher effect than othertreatment combination in both years and were found satisfactory for achieving high yields in maize.It is recommended that further research should be carried out to determine the optimum ratesrequired for maize production since performance increased up to the highest rates of MSW and NPK fertilizer
ABSTRACTMunicipalities are facing a growing problem of how to safely dispose off their wastes. Municipalsolid waste (MSW) is waste from households, commercial centres, institutions (school, offices).Composting is used to reduce huge pile of biodegradable MSW and convert it into value addedproduct like manure and biogas. Inorganic fertilizer such as NPK also exerts strong influence onplant growth, development and yield. Two year experiments were conducted in the Teaching andResearch Farm of Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria,Nsukka to determine the response of maize to MSW compost and NPK fertilizer application. A 4 x 4factorial experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was

used for the study.

The two factors were MSW (0, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 t/ha) and NPK (20:10:10) (0, 100,200 and 300 kg/ha). The following data were collected: leaf area, Plant height, stem girth, number ofleaves, days to first tasseling, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, ear weight, ear height, earcircumference, cob weight, 100 grain weight, grain yield and harvest index. Data collected weresubjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The means were separated using Fisher’s leastsignificant difference (F-LSD). Plant height, leaf area, number of leaves and stem girth increasedwith increase in NPK and MSW rates while days to tasselling and silking was reduced. The 100grain weight, grain yield per hectare and harvest index were significantly increased with increase inMSW and NPK rates. Proximate composition followed the same trend apart from carbohydratecontent which decreased with increase in application rates of MSW and NPK. Application of either2000 kg/ha MSW or 300 kg/ha NPK gave the highest yield of maize in 2011 and 2012.Complementary application of MSW and NPK was significantly higher than sole application.Combination of 2.0 t/ha MSW with 300 kg/ha NPK had significantly higher effect than othertreatment combination in both years and were found satisfactory for achieving high yields in maize.It is recommended that further research should be carried out to determine the optimum ratesrequired for maize production since performance increased up to the highest rates of MSW and NPK fertilizer