Complimentary Effect Of Humic Acid And poultry Manure On Soil Chemical Properties And The Growth Of Maize

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Poultry Manure and Humic Acid on the growth of maize and on soil chemical properties. There were three levels each of Poultry Manure and Humic Acid (9 treatment combinations) applied to 4kg soils. The treatment were replicated three times to give a total of 27 pots. Data were collected on plant height, leaf length, number of leaves, leaf width and soils were analysed for some selected chemical properties. From the results obtained, there were indications that treatment combination were effective in 'improving soil properties and growth of maize. lOml of HA gave the highest mean value on plant height, leaf length, width and stem girth while the control had the lowest mean values. The combiiation of lOtons of PM with lOmi of HA gave the highest mean value for all the parameters throughout the sampling period. The results showed the treatment combinations were effective in improving soil properties. The combination of lOton of PM with lOml of HA gave the best effect on soil organic carbon, exchange Mg, Zn, Ca, K, available nitrogen, Fe and Mn. Generally, The trend in improvement in the plant by the rate of application of PM + HA was 0/0, 5/0, 10/10, 5/5, 5/10, 10/5 and lO/lOtons of PM and HA respectively