EFFECT OF COW DUNGS RATE AND SASAKAWA TECHNOLOGY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS) IN MUBI GUINEA SAVANNAH OF NIGERIA

This experiment was carried out during 2019 cropping season to evaluate the effect of cow dung rates and Sasakawa technology on the performance of maize in Mubi, Northern Guinea Savannah at Food and Agricultural Organization Tree/Crop production farm Adamawa State University, Mubi. The trial was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times. Data was collected on fifteen characters namely: Number of leaves at 3,6 and 9 weeks after sowing also Plant height at 3,6 and 9 weeks after sowing, Cob length, Number of row per cob, Number of seed per row, Cob diameter, Cob yield, Shelling percentage, Grain weight, Grain yield and 100 Grain weight. Results showed a non-significant difference for all the fifteen (15) traits of maize T1 but T4 have better performance. Also, NL3 and NL6, T3, T4 and T5 outperformed in terms of yield, NL3 showed a highly significant positive correlation with NL6, NL9, PH3 and PH6. Cob yield also has slightly and significantly correlation with NL6, CL and NS/R. The treatments respond to variations in the rates of cow dung application during the trial period. As highly significant and positive correlation was observed for NL3, NL6, NL9, PH3, PH6, and PH9 indicating differences in the treatments applied. The experiment revealed that treatment T1, T4 and T1, T4 for NL3, and NL6 gave highest performance than other treatments, followed by T1 and T4 for NL9 which also did well in that order respectively. Cob yield was observed to performed better in T3, T4 and T5. That translates to a very good grain yields in T3 (27kg/ha-1), T4 (16.20kg/ha-1) and T5 (20kg/ha1). This might be due to the rates of cow dung applied on these treatments. Hence, it is therefore recommended based on the results of the study to use these range of cow dung in the study area. Further research is also recommended to be done in this area for adoption by farmers.


Introduction
Maize which is popularly known as "Corn" is one of the most versatile emerging cereal cash crops having wider adaptability under variety of climatic conditions. It is called the queen of cereals globally. The crop can be grown throughout the year in Northern Nigeria and more especially in Mubi, the study area, which is the commercial nerve center of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Maize is also one of the three most important cereals grown in Nigeria along with sorghum and millet (FAOSTAT, 2010). Is one of priority crop under the flagship agricultural programs of the Nigerian government since 2012. Maize is also the most important cereal crop in Sub-Saharan Africa, with rice and wheat; maize, rice and wheat, are one of the three most important cereal crops in the World (FAO, 2007).
Maize crop requires adequate soil fertility for high productivity; it requires relatively higher Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) than other elements as opined by Ibrahim and Isa (2012). Ismail et al, (2001), also reported that, maize output of countries correlate strongly and positively with fertilizer consumption. Moreover, maize respond favorably to fertilizer especially in the Savannah, where soils are generally low in native fertility (Tanimu et al, 2007). However, among the three most essential nutrients for proper growth and performance of maize, nitrogen and phosphorus are the most limiting in the Savannah soils, this is not unconnected with the vagaries of weather in the area.
Despite the importance and increase in number of farmers to maize production, yield per hectare is still relatively low in the study area due to the unpredictable rains and heavy floods when it occurs as opined by Toungos, 2018. This is in addition to the low organic matter content, low CEC, low water holding capacity and low fertility levels. In order to increase yield during the time of the vagaries of climatic change, coupled with the low yield experienced by the farmers the adaptation of the Sasakawa technology is one of the best options in boosting yield production in Mubi and the environs.
Cow dung are animals waste or faces especially cow, which are applied and used as fertilizer, it is normally gotten when dried and applied on the farmland. Sasakawa technology uses a system of planting which is 75cm by 20cm where planting is done one seed per hole. It takes into consideration all the agronomic activities involved in maintaining and obtaining higher yield on small area under intensive and prudent management within the shortest possible time.
Climate variability and extremes are already negatively undermining production of major crops in the regions and, without adaptation and practicing the appropriate techniques and technologies, this is expected to worsen as temperatures increase and become more extreme. In many areas, climate extremes have increased in number and intensity, particularly where average temperatures are shifting upwards: very hot days are becoming more frequent and the hottest days are becoming hotter, this leads to lower crop yields and other consequences that undermine food security, FAO (2018). In addition to increasing temperatures and changes in rainfall, the nature of rainy seasons is also changing, specifically the timing of seasonal climate events. The number of extreme climate-related disasters, including extreme heat, droughts, floods and storms, has doubled since the early 1990s, with an average of 213 of these events occurring every year during the period of 1990-2016. This is also prevalent in the Sudano-Sahelian zone, where the study area is located.
These harms agricultural productivity contributing to shortfalls in food availability, with knockon effects causing food price hikes and income losses that reduce people's access to food. (FAO, 2018).
Food security and nutrition indicators can clearly be associated with an extreme climate event, such as a severe drought, that critically challenges agriculture and food production. Timing of sowing and having early maturing variety with proper management can ameliorate the poor yields been experienced by local farmers in Mubi area and the surrounding environments. Of all natural hazards, floods, droughts, herdsmen and storms affect food production the most; especially in Mubi where almost all the trees have been cut down without replacements. Drought, in particular, causes more than 80 percent of the total damage and losses in agriculture, especially for the livestock and crop production subsectors, FAO (2018). If a drought is severe and widespread enough, it can potentially affect national food availability and access, as well as nutrition, thus magnifying the prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) Nationally. The majority of people most vulnerable to climate shocks and natural hazards are the world's 2.5 billion small-scale farmers, herders, fishers and forest-dependent communities, who derive their food and income from renewable natural resources. Climate variability and extremes have the strongest direct impact on food availability, given the sensitivity of agriculture to climate and the primary role of the sector as a source of food and livelihoods for the rural poor.
Hence the use of Sasakawa technology in maize production in order to meet up the demand of the over growing population in the study area becomes necessary.
Climate variability and extremes are undermining all dimensions of food security: food availability (with losses in productivity that undermine food production and increase food imports); food access (causing spikes in food prices and volatility, especially following climate extremes, income loss for those who depend on agriculture); food utilization and food safety (worsened or reduced dietary consumption, reduced quality and safety of food because of crop contamination, outbreaks of pests and diseases because of rainfall intensity or changes in temperature. Climate variability also puts all aspects of food security at risk: the amount of food produced, people's access to it, people's ability to absorb nutrients and the safety of the food itself are all affected. Direct and indirect climate-driven impacts also have a cumulative effect, leading to a downward spiral of increased food insecurity and malnutrition. But with proper technological management, the effects will be brought to the barest minimum. As stated, an obvious impact is that climate variability and extremes negatively affect agricultural productivity, in terms of changes in crop yields (the amount of agricultural production harvested per unit of land area), cropping areas (area planted or harvested), or cropping intensity (number of crops grown within a year).In addition, climate variability and extremes also affect food imports as countries try to compensate for domestic production losses. The impacts on production will inevitably translate into loss of income for people whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and natural resources, reducing their ability to access food. Another factor is spikes in food prices and volatility follow climate extremes. Climate anomalies, and in particular extreme events, alter agricultural yields, production and stocks. Impact of high food price volatility pose a major threat to food access, especially in low-and middle-income farmers. The impact of price spikes and Http://www.granthaalayah.com ©International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH [233] volatility not only falls heaviest on the urban poor, but also of small-scale food producers, agriculture laborers and the rural poor who are net food buyers.
Climate variability and extremes also lead to income loss for those whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and natural resources, which then negatively impact food access as households have less resources to purchase food. There is also evidence that climate shocks not only affect the level of income, but affect also the variability of incomes, FAO (2018). More erratic rainfall and higher temperatures along with other extreme events affect the quality and safety of food. Changing climate conditions and extremes such as temperature and humidity can lead to increased contamination of water and food. Climate-related disasters create and sustain poverty, contributing to increased food insecurity and malnutrition as well as current and future vulnerability to climate extremes, Sasakawa 2000. They also have impacts on livelihoods and livelihoods assetsespecially of the poorcontributing to greater risk of food insecurity and malnutrition. Prolonged or recurrent climate extremes lead to diminished coping capacity, loss of livelihoods, distress migration and destitution.
Maize production in the USA and other developed countries is highly mechanized and based on commercial mechanized production methods using selected hybrids and agrochemicals. These highly mechanized production conditions are however in clear contrast with those in many developing countries where maize is most often grown by medium and small-scale farmers. (FAO 2018).
The aim of the research is to determine the effect of organic manure on yield and growth of maize using cow dung as manure and the Sassakawa technology of planting (zea mays L) in Mubi and the appropriate dose of organic manure to be used for maximum yield with the following objectives: 1) To determine the effect of organic manure on the growth and yield of maize (zea mays L.); 2) To determine the effect of Sassakawa technology on the growth and yield of Maize (zea mays L) and 3) To recommend the appropriate dosage of organic manure to the farmers.

Statement of the Problem:
People over dependence on inorganic fertilizer such as NPK,UREA and Single super phosphate (SSP) and lack of an adequate rate of cow dung (organic), to be put in place, in order to enable a higher and productive yield, has being a major problem to the performance and growth of crops (maize).
Justification: Maize is a major source of carbohydrate and its productivity create a better livelihood for millions of people as well as providing food security and foreign exchange to many countries. Increase in organic rate (cow dung) in maize production in Nigeria has been achieved greatly by expansion in area harvested rather than increase in yield, the area harvested increased from 2.8 million hectare in 1986 to over 3 million hectare in 2011 of the total world production of (844 metric tons) in 2010, based on production potentials, the average yield of maize in Nigeria as other sub-Sahara African countries is generally low compared to average yield in united states.(Sobulo, B. 2000). Description: Maize also known as Corn is a monoecious plant with staminate flowers borne on an apical inflorescence (tassel) and with pistilated flowers produced on one or more lateral branches, which develop into grain bearing rachises. (Geraldi 1995) It is a cereal grass widely grown for food and livestock fodder. Maize is a monoecious plant which ranks with wheat and rice as one of the world's chief grain crops.

Morphology:
The maize plant has an erect, solid stem, rather than the hollow one of most other grasses. It varies widely in height, some dwarf varieties being little more than 60 cm at maturity, whereas other types may reach a height of 6m or more. The average is 2.4 m. The leaves, which grow alternately, are long and narrow. The main stalk terminates in a staminate (male) inflorescence, or tassel. The tassel is made up of many small flowers termed spikelet's, and each spikelet bears three small anthers, which produce the pollen grains, or male gametes. The pistillate (female) inflorescence or ear is a unique structure with up to 1,000 seeds borne on a hard core called the cob. The ear is enclosed in modified leaves called husks. The individual silk fibers that protrude from the tip of the ear are the elongated styles, each attached to an individual ovary. Pollen from the tassels is carried by the wind and falls onto the silks, where it germinates and grows down through the silk until it reaches the ovary. Each fertilized ovary grows and develops into a kernel. (Grogan, C.O 1996) In both tassel and ear flowers, a pair of stamens arises opposite the lemmas and a third stamen initiates later at right angles to the first pair but from a point on the meristem below its insertion.

Materials and Methods
Description

Data Analysis
Data obtained was subjected to analysis of variances and the treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Rang Test (SAS, 1993).

Source of Seed:
The maize Oba 98 was obtained from Mubi main market in Mubi North Local Government of Adamawa State Nigeria.
Cultural Practice: The land was cleared, ploughed and leveled, using hand hoe. The cow dungs were applied and incorporated on the plot base of the tones of the plot. Then after two (2) weeks, the areas were marked into blocks and plot in a Randomize Complete Block Design.
Sowing and Spacing: Sowing was done on 13/07/2019 by dibbling method 2-3 seeds per hole at 75cm within row and 20cm between rows and seedlings were later thinned to one seedling per stand two weeks after emergence.
Weeds control: Three hoe weeding were carried out at three weeks, six weeks and night weeks after emergence respectively which ensured that weed competition where kept under control.
Harvesting: The cobs were harvested by hand picking when they were ripe and dry.

Kg
Grain Yield: The growth yield from each of the treatment was measured in cm were measured and recorded.

Number of Row Per Cob:
Five cobs were selected from each plot and numbers of rows per cobs were counted means were determined and recorded.

Mean Values for Fifteen (15) Agronomic Characters of Maize Studied
The mean square value for agronomic characters of maize is presented in table 1. A non-significant difference was recorded for all the characters studied. Number of leaves and plan height 3, 6 and 9 weeks after sowing (WAS) respectively, cob length, number of row per cob, number of row per cob, number of seed per row, cob diameter, cob yield, shelling percentage, grain weight, grain yield and hundred grain weight.

Mean Separation for Rates of cow dungs Among Fifteen (15) Characters of Maize Studied
The different rates of cow dungs on fifteen (15) agronomic characters of maize are presented in

Correlation Coefficient Among Fifteen (15) Agronomic Characters of Maize Studied
The correlation coefficient among fifteen (15) agronomic characters of maize studied is presented in Table 3. Number of leaves character at three weeks after sowing had a highly significant and positive correlation with number of leaves at six (6)      Http://www.granthaalayah.com ©International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH [241] indicates cow dung has a high impact on maize production in the study area even though the rest of the traits recorded non-significant difference. PH3 also recorded a highly and positive significant difference with PH6 (0.8456**), PH9 (0.6506**) and 100 GW (0.577**), and a significant difference and positive correlation with PH9 (0.6211**), NS/R (0.5002**) and CY (0.5474**) and a significant difference was recorded for GN (0.5318*), GY (0.5345*) and 100GN (0.5075*). PH9 also recorded a highly The results were subjected to analysis of variance and mean were obtained using Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Results reveled the effect of cow dung rates at different treatments at T1, T4, and T1, T4 at NL3, NLC, and NL6 outperformed other treatments during the trail. Even though, T3, T4, and T5 have better cob yield than the outperformed ones. In the same vein, T3, T4, and T5 had better performance and also highly significant and positive correlation was recorded for NL3 with NL6, NL9, PH3, PH6 and PH9 during the period under study. This might not be unconnected with the rates of cow dung applied on the different treatments that outperformed in terms of cob yield which translate into total yield per area.

Conclusion
Even though the results indicated non-significant difference for all the characters studied, but differences were observed in terms of cob weight and yield on the treatments. The treatments also responds to variations in the rates of cow dung application during the trial period. As highly significant and positive correlation was observed for NL3, NL6, NL9, PH3, PH6, and PH9 indicating differences in the treatments applied.

Recommendation
The experiment revealed that treatment T1, T4 and T1, T4 for NL3, and NL6 gave highest performance than other treatments, followed by T1 and T4 for NL9 which also did well in that order respectively. Cob yield was observed to performed better in T3, T4 and T5. That translates to a very good grain yields in T3 (27kg/ha-1) ,T4 (16.20kg/ha-1) and T5 (20kg/ha-1). This might Http://www.granthaalayah.com ©International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH [242] be due to the rates of cow dung applied on these treatments. Hence, it is therefore recommended based on the results of the study to use these range of cow dung in the study area. Further research is also recommended to be done in this area for adoption by farmers.