CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal worldwide (Ashraf et al., 2016a). Only the USA, China and Brazil contribute 63% to the global maize production whilst Mexico, Argentina, India, Ukraine, Indonesia, France, Canada and South Africa are also major maize producing countries (FAO, 2012). Many factors like soil fertility, imbalanced nutrition, disturbed soil properties, cultivars being grown weed infestation etc. limit its yield worldwide. Different management practices are adopted to increase and optimize the maize yields. For example, use of organic manures alongside inorganic fertilizers often lead to increased soil organic matter (SOM), soil structure, water holding capacity and improved nutrient cycling and helps to maintain soil nutrient status, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil.s biological activity (Saha et al., 2008) Although chemical fertilizers are important input to get higher crop productivity, but over reliance on chemical fertilizers is associated with declines in some soil properties and crop yields over time and causes serious land problems, such as soil degradation (Hepperly et al., 2009).

Synthetic fertilizers have become the primary nutrient sources for agriculture over the last 50 years because of certain advantages behind their use. But their extravagant use has created several environmental problems. They may create soil acidity and nutrient imbalance which may result in reduction of crop yield. Chemical fertilizers are costly too, and are not always affordable to poor farmers. Organic fertilizers including farm yard manure, composts, poultry manure, pig manure and sheep manure, etc. may be used for crop production as substitutes or supplements of the chemical fertilizers. Poultry manure is a valuable fertilizer and can serve as a suitable alternate to chemical fertilizers. Poultry manures provide organic matter to soil and nutrients to crops. Poultry manure is a good source of major and minor mineral elements that are capable of enhancing soil fertility on application (Thomas 1997).

One of the members of the cereal family that has added great value to man and animals is maize (Zea mays L). It ranks third following wheat and rice in world production (FAO, 2002). Widely grown in the humid tropics and sub-Saharan Africa, the crop serves for food and livelihood for millions of people today. (Enujeke, 2013). It is consumed roasted, baked, fried, boiled or fermented in Nigeria (Agbato, 2003). In developed countries, maize is source of such industrial products as corn oil, syrup, corn flour, sugar, brewers’ grit and alcohol (Dutt, 2005). As an energy supplement in livestock feed, maize is cherished by various species of animals, including poultry, cattle, pigs, goats, sheep and rabbits (DIPA, 2006).

The numerous uses of maize notwithstanding, yield in Africa has continuously declined to low as 1 tha1 due to such factors as rapid reduction in soil fertility and negligence of soil amendment materials. (Olakojo, 1993, Kim, 1997, DIPA, 2006, Enujeke, 2013). Sonetra (2002) suggested that subsistence farmers should apply organic manure directly to the soil as a natural means of recycling nutrients in order to improve soil fertility and yield of crops. Manures and fertilizers are the life wire of improved technology contributing about 50 to 60% increase in productivity of food grains in many parts of the world, irrespective of soil and agro-ecological zone (DIPA, 2006).

Reijnties et al, (1992) and Adepetu (1997) remarked that the downward trend in food production should prompt farmers to amend the soil with different materials in order to enhance growth and yield of crops. Several organic materials such as cattle dung, poultry dropping, pig dung and refuse compost have been recommended to subsistence farmers in West Africa as soil amendments for increasing crop yield. Sobulo and Babalola (1992) reported that poultry dropping and cattle dung increased root growth of maize and the crop extracted soil water more efficiently for increased grain yield.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Clay et al. (2002) and Lopez-Masqueral et al. (2008) noted that there was a need to assess the potential impacts of poultry manure on soil properties and crop yield with particular attention to critical application levels.

Poultry manure improves soil physical properties particularly bulk density, total porosity and moisture retention (Agboola and Fegbenro, 1985). Application of poultry manure is preferred to other animal wastes due to the high concentration of macro-nutrients (Ducan, 2005). According to Agbede et al. (2008) poultry droppings when applied to the soil provided N, K, Ca and Mg, which enhanced soil productivity.

According to Brady and Weil (1999), poultry manure mineralizes faster than other animal manure such as cattle or pig dung; hence it releases its nutrients for plant uptake and utilization rapidly. Sharply and Smith (1991) reported that poultry manure contains basic nutrients required for enhancing growth and yield of crops. Application of poultry manure increases carbon content, water holding capacity, aggregation of soil, and decreases bulk density (Egerszegi, 1990). It also increases the water soluble and exchangeable potassium and magnesium which enhance crop yield (Jackson et al, 1999).

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study will be to investigate the effect of plant dates and poultry manure on maize growth and yield in Owerri

Specifically, the study sought to:

1. Assess the potential impacts of poultry manure on soil properties and maize  yield
2. Examine whether Poultry manure improves soil physical properties particularly bulk density
3. Ascertain whether poultry manure mineralizes faster than other animal manure
4. Examine whether the application of poultry manure increases water soluble and exchangeable potassium and magnesium

1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

From the research objectives, the following research questions will be critically dealt with.

1. What are the potential impacts of poultry manure on soil properties and maize yield?
2. Does Poultry manure improves soil physical properties particularly bulk density?
3. Does poultry manure mineralizes faster than other animal manure?
4. Does the application of poultry manure increases water soluble and exchangeable potassium and magnesium?

1. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

 H0 there is no significant relationship between poultry manure maize yield

H1 there is significant relationship between poultry manure maize yield

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study is very important because with the findings, it will reveal the relationship effect that exists between planting dates and poultry manure and maize yield.

The study findings will be of immense benefit to the famers on the knowledge of the application of poultry manure on the effective yield of maize crops.

1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study is limited to the effect of planting dates and poultry manure rates on maize growth and yield. The study covers potential impacts of poultry manure on soil properties and maize yield; soil physical properties particularly bulk density.

1.  LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

TIME CONSTRAINTS: One the challenges experienced by the researcher is the issue of time; the research will simultaneously engage in departmental activities like seminars and attendance to lectures. But the researcher was able to meet up with the deadline for the submission of the project.

FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: Every research work needs funding; however lack of adequate funds might affect the speed of the researcher in getting materials for completion of the project.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Poultry

"Poultry" is a term used for any kind of domesticated bird, captive-raised for its utility, and traditionally the word has been used to refer to wildfowl (Galliformes) and waterfowl (Anseriformes) but not to cagebirds such as songbirds and parrots. "Poultry" can be defined as domestic fowls, including chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks, raised for the production of meat or eggs and the word is also used for the flesh of these birds used as food.

Manure 

Is organic matter that is used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. Most manure consists of animal feces; other sources include compost and green manure. Manures contribute to the fertility of soil by adding organic matter and nutrients, such as nitrogen, that are utilised by bacteria, fungi and other organisms in the soil.

Growth

Growth is an increase in physical size, like the growth of a sapling into a mature tree. There are other kinds of growth, like your sister's personal growth since she started to meditate every day. Growth can also mean something that has grown, like a growth of stubble on your dad's face or a cancerous growth that needs to be removed surgically. 

Plant crops

A crop is a plant or animal product that can be grown and harvested extensively for profit or subsistence. Crops may refer either to the harvested parts or to the harvest in a more refined state. Most crops are cultivated in agriculture or aquaculture.