Effects of Abattoir Effluent on the Yield and Yield Components of Maize (zea Mays) in Forest - Savanna Transitional Zone of Edo State, Nigeria

Field experiment was carried out in the Forest–savanna Transition Zone of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria to assess the effect of abattoir effluent on the yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays). The soil used for the experiment was analyzed for both its physical and chemical properties while the effluent used was also analyzed for its chemical properties before the experiment. The abattoir effluent had five levels (0, 2,025, 4,050 ,8,100 and 12,150 L/ha) fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated three times, maize variety Swan-1 was used as a test crop. Results obtained revealed that all the vegetative traits, plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem girth and total ear leaf area were significantly enhanced at 2 WAP while only stem girth was significantly enhanced at 6, 8, 10 and 12 WAP. Optimum maize grain yield of 6.8 t/ ha was obtained from the application of 4,050 l/ha abattoir effluent.