Articles >
INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF COW DUNG AND FERTILIZER ON
MAIZE SOIL PENETRATION RESISTANCE AND NITROGEN UPTAKE
IN NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA
Author(s): Khalid T. K. *, Gaya M.I ., Kalu G ., A Ambi ., Adam J.J ., Abdulkadir K ., Malami M . and Bilyaminu A.B
Volume/Issue: Volume 6 , Issue 1(2026)
ABSTRACT:
This study was conducted in the Samaru Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria to evaluate the effects of cow dung and nitrogen fertilizer on soil penetration resistance, nitrogen uptake, and maize (Zea mays L.) yield. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three rates of cow dung (0, 3, and 6 t/ha) and four nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg/ha), replicated three times. Soil penetration resistance was measured at 0, 10, 20 and 30cm depths. Measurement of nitrogen uptake in plant tissue and yield parameters (number of cobs, dry matter yield, grain yield, 1000 grain weight) of maize was collected at harvest. From the finding in this study, soil penetration resistance observed to increase with depth and significantly reduced by cow dung application, with the lowest values obtained at 6 t/ha. Nitrogen fertilizer alone had minimal effect on penetration resistance, while the combination of cow dung and nitrogen promoted better root penetration. Maize nitrogen uptake, number of cobs, dry matter yield, and grain yield were significantly enhanced by both cow dung and nitrogen fertilizer, with the highest performance observed at 3 t/ha cow dung and 150 kg/ha nitrogen. The interaction between cow dung and nitrogen was not significant, indicating that each amendment independently contributed to improved growth and yield. These results suggest that moderate cow dung application combined with appropriate nitrogen fertilization effectively reduces soil mechanical impedance, enhances nutrient uptake, and increases maize productivity in the Northern Guinea Savanna.
KEYWORDS:
Maize, cow dung, nitrogen fertilizer, soil penetration resistance, nitrogen uptake, Northern Guinea.
