Effect of composted municipal solid waste and npk fertilizer on the growth and yield of maize (zea mays l) in nsukka

Project Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of composted municipal solid waste (MSW) and NPK fertilizer on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L) in Nsukka. A field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments included T1 (control), T2 (NPK fertilizer at 120 kg/ha), T3 (composted MSW at 10 t/ha), T4 (NPK + MSW at the same rates as T2 and T3), and T5 (NPK + MSW at half the rates of T2 and T3). The results showed that the combined application of NPK and MSW significantly increased plant height, leaf area, number of cobs per plant, cob length, and grain yield compared to the control and single nutrient treatments. The highest grain yield was recorded in the T4 treatment with NPK + MSW at full rates, followed by T5 with half rates of NPK + MSW. The combination of NPK and MSW enhanced soil fertility by increasing organic matter content, total N, P, and K concentrations. It also improved soil physical properties such as bulk density and porosity. The results suggest that the integrated use of NPK fertilizer and composted MSW can improve maize growth and yield by providing a balanced nutrient supply and enhancing soil fertility. This approach can also contribute to sustainable agricultural practices by recycling organic waste materials and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers. Further research is needed to optimize the application rates of NPK and MSW for maize production under varying soil conditions and climatic factors. Overall, this study highlights the potential of using composted MSW in combination with mineral fertilizers to enhance maize productivity and soil health in agricultural systems, particularly in regions like Nsukka where sustainable soil management practices are crucial for food security and environmental sustainability.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p>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</p><p>used for the study.</p><p>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</p><p>fertilizer</p><p>Share on social media:</p><p>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</p><p>used for the study.</p><p>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<br>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</p><p>used for the study.</p><p>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</p> <br><p></p>