Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: October-December | Volume: 3 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 1-9
Effect of Bio Fertilizer With Varying Levels of Mineral Fertilizer on Maize (Zea Mays.L) Growth
Tuarira A. Mtaita1, Karen Nyaera2, Moses Mutetwa3, Thomas Masaka4
1Senior Lecturer and Head Department of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, 2Undergraduate Student, 3Postgraduate Africa University Alumni, 4Assistant Lab Technician Africa University,
Africa University, Department of Agriculture & Natural Sciences, College of Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Box 1320, Mutare - Zimbabwe
Corresponding Author: Moses Mutetwa; mosleymute@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Repeated use of agricultural land over several years has created severe reduction of soil fertility and a disproportion in the store of nutrients available attributable to widening gap between nutrient removal and supplier. Bio fertilizers have been renowned as alternative to augment mineral fertilizers to increase soil fertility for crop production in sustainable agriculture. A study was therefore conducted with the objective to establish optimum levels of microbial fertilizer and mineral fertilizer on some characteristics of maize plant. Ten treatment levels of varying levels of microbial consortium bio fertilizer and mineral fertilizer combinations were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. There was significant (P<0.05) degree of influence for application of combinations of bio fertilizer with mineral fertilizer at varying levels on plant growth characteristics. Stem girth and fresh weight were maximum at Trt9, plant height was maximum at Trt7, dry weight was maximum at Trt3, and P content and N content was supreme at Trt9 and Trt6 respectively. Further research should be carried out to establish the combination that provides the best results for all parameters.
Keywords: Microbial consortium bio fertilizer, mineral fertilizers, maize, growth.
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