Agronomic characterization of 'Ikom White' maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by organo-mineral fertilizer in Calabar Agricultural Zone, Nigeria

A field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Calabar in 2016 to evaluate the effect of organo-mineral fertilizer on agronomic parameters of a local maize variety popularly grown in the late season in Ikom Agricultural Zone, Cross River State. The treatments used were Jon Ker® organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t/ha. The treatments were replicated three times and arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The results obtained showed that maize responded positively to fertilizer treatments in all agronomic parameters evaluated with the best values obtained at 20 t OMF/ha.  Maize plants in this treatment were tallest (277.8 cm) with highest leaves (8.6/plant), highest LAI (85.5) and highest dry weight (1.7 t/a) as well as longest (14.4), largest (16.0 cm) and highest cob weight (520 g/plot) with the highest shelling percentage (15.6 %) and highest grain yield of 1733 kg/ha. This performance trend indicates that the best agronomic parameters could be obtained for this maize variety by applying 20 t OMF/ha or more in the study area.