Research Article

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

EZE P. C.1*, ALHASSAN2, A. B.2, Samson Joshua Kwari3, DADA Y. M..2, TSADO P. A.1, LAWAN A. N..3
1 Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State.
2 Department of Soil Science, University of Maiduguri, Borno State
3 Department of Soil Science, University of Maiduguri, Borno State.
* Corresponding author: ezepemec66@yahoo.com
Published: Apr, 2014
DOI: 10.67042/njss.2014.yba8ekuc
Pages: 72-79
Views: 496
Downloads: 726

Abstract

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.

Keywords

rice husk-mulch sorghum millet grain yield stover yield harvest index panicle

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How to Cite

C., E. P., B., A. A., Kwari, S. J., M.., D. Y., A., T. P., & N.., L. A. (2014). Yield of Sorghum and Millet as Affected by Rice Husk – Mulch on a Sandy Loam Soil in Maiduguri, Semi-Arid North-East Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 24(1), 72-79. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2014.yba8ekuc

E. P. C., A. A. B., S. J. Kwari, D. Y. M.., T. P. A., and L. A. N.., "Yield of Sorghum and Millet as Affected by Rice Husk – Mulch on a Sandy Loam Soil in Maiduguri, Semi-Arid North-East Nigeria," Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 72-79, April 2014. doi: 10.67042/njss.2014.yba8ekuc

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