Abstract

This study investigated soil physicochemical properties and nutrient uptake of a drought-tolerant maize variety (DT-SR-WC2) in a derived savanna zone of Southwestern Nigeria when different composted poultry manures (CPM) and inorganic fertilizer (IF) were applied. This was with a view to determining the essential trace elements and nutritional quality of the test crop. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with six treatments [cockerel manure (CM), broiler manure (BM), layers manure (LM), equal proportions of cockerel + broiler + layers manures (CBLM), IF)] and zero manure/fertilizer application served as control. Each treatment was replicated three times. Three months after sowing, the maize ears were manually harvested and threshed for analyses. The results show that addition of CPM increased the soil properties, but only significantly (p < 0.05) with the soil organic carbon and cation exchangeable capacity when BM was applied. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences among the treatments considered in the proximate compositions of the harvested maize grains. The concentrations of mineral and trace elements in the harvested maize were generally higher during the wet than dry seasons, but with only Cu showing significant (p < 0.05) difference among the elements. It was concluded that BM was the best choice among the CPM considered for enhanced soil health and nutrient uptake of maize.

Key words: Maize, cockerel manure, broiler manure, layers manure, quality maize, soil health.