Effects of Moringa Leaf Extract and Poultry Manure on the Growth Parameters of Sweet Maize

Abstract

This study examined the effects of moringa leaf extract (MLE) and poultry manure (PM) on the growth parameters of sweet maize. The experiment was a Randomized Complete Block Design involving nine treatments: control (no extract), 3% MLE, 6% MLE, 9% MLE, 3% MLE + 15 t/ha–1 PM, 6% MLE + 15 t/ha–1 PM, 9% MLE + 15 t/ha–1 PM, 15 t/ha–1 PM, and 30 t/ha–1 PM. Data on growth parameters including plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem girth, and leaf area were collected and analyzed. The results of the study show that there were significant differences (P = 0.05) among the treatments because plots that received 30 t/ha–1 PM performed best on plant height (193.6 and 152.8 cm) number of leaves (13.1 and 10.2), stem girth (3.75 and 3.22 cm), and leaf area (584.9 and 402.9 cm2) in both early and late season. This was followed by plots that received 9% MLE and 15 t/ha–1 PM, with values of 189.0 and 152.2 cm; 12.5 and 10.0; 3.58 3.15 cm; and 546.2 and 392.2 cm2, respectively. The study concluded that 30 t/ha–1 PM can be used to yield effective growth parameters in sweet maize and is hereby recommended to extension workers for dissemination to farmers