Effects of Rice Bran-Mulch on the Growth of Sorghum and Millet in Maiduguri, Semi-Arid North-East Nigeria.

In 2009, an experiment was carried out under rain-fed conditions at two sites to evaluate the influence of three rates of rice bran-mulch on the growth of sorghum and millet on a sandy loam soil in Maiduguri, Semi-arid North-east Nigeria. The study comprised six treatments replicated four times and laid out in a split-plot design. Following land preparation, rice bran was uniformly applied on the soil surface. Crop cultural practices were carried out. Plant height, leaf area index, root perimeter and maximum rooting depth were measured at seedling establishment, vegetative growth, flowering and maturity stages. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. Throughout the growth period of sorghum and millet, 15 t/ha mulch application rate produced the tallest plants and highest leaf area index (P ≤ 0.05), compared with 0 and 10 t/ha mulch rates at Site 1. At vegetative growth stage, 15 t/ha mulch rate resulted in significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher (96.88 cm) root perimeter than 0 (83.06 cm) t/ha mulch rate at Site 1. At crop maturity, 10 t/ha mulch rate produced significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher (172.63 cm) root perimeter than 0 (149.00 cm) t/ha mulch treatment at Site 1.