Efficacious Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth and Soil Changes to Phousphorous and Zinc Applications on Chromic Luvisols in North-Eastern Part of Nigeria

The study aimed to study the efficacious response of maize growth and soil changes to phosphorous and zinc application on chromic luvisols in North-eastern part of Nigeria conducted at Teaching and Research Farm of School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Modibbo Adama University, Yola during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used in the experiment to test the various levels of P and Zn applications on TZL composite white improved variety of maize. Four levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg Pha-1) and three levels of zinc (0, 5 and 10 Zn ha-1) were applied on experimental plots of 4.5m x 5m replicated three times. Data obtained on the growth parameters and soil properties were measured and analyzed using ANOVA statistical package. Result indicate that the soil was predominantly sandy loam, organic matter (mean =0.92 gkg-1), total N (mean = 0.35 gkg-1) Available phosphorous (mean = 8.6 mgkg-1) Zinc (mean = 7.25 mgkg-1) and exchangeable cations (means= Ca2+ =0.26 cmolkg-1, Mg2+ =0.27 cmolkg-1, K+ =1.83, Na+ =0.85 cmolkg-1) and CEC = 5.32 respectively. The effects of P and Zn did not show any significant difference on plants height in both years of experimentation except at harvest where main effect of P showed slightly taller plants at 30 kg Pha-1 level in 2018 (202.11 cm) and 2019 (206.11 cm). Generally the mean values of plant heights at various P levels are higher than that at the Zn levels. Similarly, there were no significant differences in the leaf area, however, highest mean values of 236.1 cm2 and 227.6 cm2 was observed at 30 kg Pha-1 and 10 kg Znha-1 in both 2018 and 2019 cropping years. while Leaf Area Index shows highest values of 2.98 cm2 and 2.54 cm2 observed at 30 kg Pha-1 and 10 kg Znha-1 and interaction effects was significant P = (0.05) in both years respectively. Available P in soil after the harvest of 2018 the available P was significantly affected. Highest mean values of P content were 13.14 mgkg-1 and 14.97 mgkg-1 in 2018 and 2019 with 30kg Pha-1. Also, there was significant difference in the main effect of the Zinc treatments on available Zn in the soil in 2019 where the highest mean value of 4.03 mgkg-1 was recorded at 0 kg Zn ha-1. Therefore, application of 30 kg P ha-1 and 10 kg Zn ha-1 as evidenced to maintain the soil nutrients and thus should be employed for sustainable maize production in the area.