Effects of NPK and Cow Dung on the Performance of Rice (Oryza sativa) in the Sudan Savanna Agro-ecological Zone of Nigeria
S. A. Lukman *
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
M. Audu
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
A. U. Dikko
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
H. G. Ahmed
Department of Crop Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
M. M. Sauwa
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
M. Haliru
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
S. S. Noma
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
S. A. Yusif
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
A. Salisu
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
N. G. Hayatu
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK 20-10-10) and cow dung on the performance of rice at two locations (Sokoto and Talata Mafara) in the Sudan savanna zone of Nigeria, during the 2012/2013 dry season. The treatments consisted of nine different combinations of cow dung and NPK fertilizer with an absolute control, using rice (FARO 44) as a test crop. The treatments were laid out in a Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The combined application of cow dung and NPK fertilizer significantly (p < 0.05) increased most of the results obtained with regards to locations compared to the control plots. The growth and yield parameters of rice considered were significantly (p <0.05) affected by the treatments except one thousand grain weight. Application of 8 t ha-1 of cow dung in combination with 400 kg ha-1 NPK 20:10:10 gave the highest grain yield (5.77 t ha-1) at Sokoto, while application of 12 t ha-1 of cow dung in combination with 300 kg ha-1 NPK 20:10:10 gave the highest grain yield (6.50 t ha-1) at Talata Mafara. In conclusion, it is recommended that application of 12 t ha-1 of cow dung in combination with 300 kg ha-1 NPK 20:10:10 resulted in the best soil nutrient enrichment and yield of rice in Sokoto and Talata Mafara. The result showed that judicious application of cow dung with NPK fertilizers could be a useful practice for better performance of Rice in the study areas compared to the control plots which significantly recorded the least.
Keywords: NPK, cow dung, rice performance, Sudan savanna