Influence of fish pond effluent and poultry manure on soil chemical properties, growth and nutrient status of maize (zea mays) in Igbariam, South Eastern Nigeria

The Influence of Fish Pond Effluent and Poultry Manure on Soil Chemical Properties, Growth and Nutrient Status of Maize was investigated during 2017 farming season at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, ,Nigeria. The experiment which was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design comprised four treatments and three replications. The treatments were: Control (No treatment); Poultry Manure (10t/ha).; Fish Pond Effluent (40,000 litres/ha): Fish Pond Effluent (20,000 litres/ha) + Poultry Manure (5t/ha). Data generated from the study were subjected to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test based on Randomized complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatment means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD 0.05). The results obtained revealed that, Fish Pond Effluent when applied singly as well as its combination with Poultry Manure significantly influenced all the growth parameters accessed. The highest values of plant height (151.96cm), stem girth (7.06cm), Number of leaves (11.7) and Leaf Area (567.3cm2) were recorded at 8 Weeks After Planting (WAP) at the plot where Fish Pond Effluent (20,000 litres/hectare) was combined with 5tons/hectare of Poultry Manure. The Nutrient Status (N,P,K,Ca,Mg) of Maize leaf and some Soil Chemical Properties (pH, Available Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, Organic Carbon and Organic Matter) were increased when compared with the Control by the application of Fish Pond Effluent singly and its combination with Poultry Manure. Based on the results obtained, it is recommended that, Fish Pond Effluent (20,000 litres/hectare) + poultry manure (5tons/hectare) be applied in the study area to increase plant growth, nutrient status and soil fertility level of Igbariam.