LEAF POWDER

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a key global staple, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa., but its productivity is often constrained by the high cost and documented environmental risks of conventional inorganic fertilizers. This study investigated the use of Panicum maximum leaf powder, a locally available organic nutrient source, application on the agronomic response of maize. The field trial was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Benin, Benin City. The experiment utilized a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications. The treatments consisted of four rates of P. maximum application: 0kg/ha, 60kg/ha, 120kg/ha and 180kg/ha. The variables measured included percentage emergence, percentage establishment, days to tasselling, plant height, number of ears, and stover yield. Results showed that the control exhibited significantly poorer establishment, delayed tasselling, shorter plants and reduced stover yield compared to all fertilized plots. The 60kg/ha rate was sufficient to maximize benefits for establishment and maturity, though the total number of ears was not significantly affected by treatment. It is concluded that P. maximum leaf powder is an effective, sustainable organic fertilizer for enhancing maize vegetative growth and stand establishment.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple crop critical for global food security, yet its productivity is often constrained by soil nutrient deficiencies, pest infestations, and reliance on synthetic inputs. This study evaluated the agronomic response of maize to the application of neem leaf powder, an organic amendment derived from Azadirachta indica, as a sustainable alternative for enhancing soil fertility and plant performance. The study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated five times. The treatment comprised four rates of A. indica leaf powder (0.0, 60.0, 120.0, and 180.0 Kg ha -1). Percent emergence, Percent establishment, Days to tasseling, Plant height, Number of ears harvested and Stover yield were evaluated. The results showed that the leaf powder significantly improved maize growth. The best performance was obtained from the plots incorporated with 180kg of A. indica leaf powder. The study concludes that Azadirachta indica leaf powder, is a viable and eco-friendly organic fertilizer for maize cultivation and reducing chemical dependency