Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers and their combinations on the growth and yield of maize in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana

Abstract

A study was conducted to characterize poultry manure and two composted materials (Household waste plus poultry manure and Market waste plus faecal sludge mixes in 3:1 ratio) based on their nutrient content and water holding capacity and to evaluate the influence of organic and inorganic fertilizers and their combination on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays) in pot and field experiments at Soil Research Institute of CSIR, Kwadaso, Kumasi, Ghana. The treatments were studied in a complete randomized design (CRD) in the pot experiment and in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in the field experiment with three replications each. The results were analysed by ANOVA and the standard error of differences (SED) was used to separate the means. Regression analysis was used to establish relationships between measured parameters.