Effect of residuce burning and fertilizer application on soil nutrient dynamics and dry grain yield of Maize (<i>Zea may</i>s L.) in an Alfisol.

Abstract

Field study was conducted for two cropping seasons to evaluate the effects of residue burning and fertilizer application on soil nutrient dynamics and maize yield in an alfisol. The treatments consisted of eight fertilizer treatments applied either as single element or in combinations of N,P and K (control, NPK,NP,NK,PK,N,P,K) as 60kg N ha as urea, 30 kg P ha-1 as single super phosphate and 30kg K ha-1 as muriate of potash, and two levels of residue management, namely; no ash addition (bare plot) and slash, burn and incorporated with hoe. The main fallow vegetation consisted of Chromolaena odorata, Tridax procumbens and some Imperata cylindrical. Burning of residue led to significant increase in soil nitrate-nitrogen, available phosphorus, sulphur, exchangeable calcium, and potassium and soil organic matter as early as 30 days after planting maize. The increment was more pronounced in soil available K while the application of fertilizer N,P,K, singly or in combinations also enhanced the accumulation on these nutrients in the soil. The increase in these nutrients was not sustained till harvest. Soil nutrient levels fall below pre-treatment level at plant harvest except soil available sulphur and potassium, which increase at harvest. Addition of N,P,and K or ash produced the highest maize grain yield. For a sustained increase in soil nutrient level plant ash incorporation should be complemented with inorganic fertilizers particularly with soils from short fallow period.

Nigerian Journal of Soil Science Vol. 17 2007: pp. 71-80