Influence of Tithonia Diversifolia on Maize (Zea mays L.) Yield, Fertility and Infiltration Status of Two Clay Varied Soils

Abstract

Towards a more sustainable soil management through recycling of readily available weeds in Akure, Nigeria, different rates of Tithonia diversifolia (tithonia) were compared on a field trial to evaluate its effect on soil properties. The experiment was sited at two locations in South gate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Prior to the field establishment, a composite soil sample was collected and analyzed for physico-chemical properties. The sites were cleared and tilled. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The treatments consisted of three levels of tithonia application which are 0, 3 and 6 t ha-1. Each experimental unit size was 2 m x 2 m with 1 m alleyway. Maize (Zea mays L. var.TZB-SR) seeds were sown at a spacing of 75 cm by 25 cm and 10 were randomly sampled per plot for growth and yield parameters. Data were collected on maize yield and soil physical and chemical properties after harvest to ascertain sustainability of the mulch material after cropping. Application of tithonia mulch improved growth, and yield indices of maize as well as soil physical and chemical properties. The contents of soil total N, exchangeable cations, , CEC, Organic matter content, total porosity, moisture content and infiltration rate were found to significantly (p>0.05)  increase in treatments with tithonia mulch. The best result was from the application rate 6 tha-1 because it improved and left the soil conserved after harvesting maize. Similar trends were observed at the two sites despite variation in inherent soil properties.