EFFECT OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION RATE AND SUBSTRATE ON ABOVE GROUND TRAITS OF Zea mays IN A SOILLESS FARMING SYSTEM

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of fertilizer application rates and substrate on some above ground traits of Zea mays in a soilless farming system. The experiment was laid out as 3 x 3 factorial arrangement in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three (2) factors; 3 fertilizer application rates (0, 120 and 240kgNha-1), 3 substrate medium (Coco peat, grow mix and rice husk). Data collected were subjected to two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and various means were separated using Duncan multiple range test. The result showed that fertilizer application rates had no significant (p>0.05) effect on the aboveground traits at measured in this study. However, grow mix and coco peat substrates recorded significant higher value (24.13, 24.13, 17.73 and 0.76 cm) and least value (14.95, 3.88 and 10.98 cm) of Plant length, Plant height, leaf length and leaf thickness at 4 weeks respectively. Highest value (0.86 and 6.55 cm) and least value (0.41 and 4.33 cm) of Leaf width and number of leaves were recorded for Rice husk and Coco peat at 4 weeks. At 6 weeks of growth, Grow mix recorded highest value (2.40 cm) while coco peat recorded the least value (1.2 cm) of Leaf width. At 7 weeks of growth. 0kgNha-1 recorded highest value (31.46 cm) while the least value (14.85 cm) of leaf length was recorded for 120kgNha-1. There was no significant (p>0.05) effect of substrate on the aboveground traits measured in this study. Therefore, it can be concluded that maize grown on grow mix (GM) substrate increased the aboveground traits.