Yield of Sorghum and Millet as Affected by Rice Husk – Mulch on a Sandy Loam Soil in Maiduguri, Semi-Arid North-East Nigeria

A split-plot experiment with four replications was conducted at two sites in Maiduguri, Semi-arid North-East Nigeria to evaluate the influence of three rates of rice husk-mulch on the growth and yield of sorghum and millet on sandy loam soil. Rice husk was uniformly applied on the soil surface of plots measuring 8 m x 4 m. Crop husbandry was carried out. After crop harvest, grain yield, stover yield, harvest index and panicle length were determined. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis at a 5 % level of significance. At Site 1, application of 10 and 15 t/ha mulch produced significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher grain yield than 0 t/ha mulch by 14.30 and 15.30 %, respectively. At the two sites, stover yield increased with mulch rate. At Site 1, application of 15 t/ha mulch resulted in a significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower (0.45) harvest index than 0 (0.65) and 10 (0.60) t/ha mulch rates. Application of 15 t/ha mulch produced significantly (P ≤ 0.05) longer (26.35 cm) panicles than 0 (25.41 cm) t/ha mulch rate at Site 2.