Nutrient Composition of Fodder Maize according to Organic Fertilization
Supplementation of inferior quality roughages with organic fertilizer coming up as a practical approach to increasing crop productivity significantly by way of increasing biological nitrogen fixation, increasing availability or uptake of nutrients through solubilization or increasing absorption stimulation of plant growth through hormonal action or antibiosis or decomposition of organic residues and this reflect to improving roughages utilization and digestibility by animal. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of three types of organic fertilizers; Neem cake (Azdirachta indica), Argel (Solennostemma argel/Del. Hayenne) and Field fertilizer on nutritional quality of fodder maize (Zea mays L.). Four treatments were conducted which included Neem cake, Argel , Field Fertilizer and control. The experiment was arranged in a Complete Randomized Block Design, with three replicated. The results showed that no significant differences (P ˃ 0.05) were indicated in all nutrient components of fodder maize except for crude protein (CP). CP increased significantly (P ˂ 0.05) by organic fertilizers comparing with control. Neem cake had the highest value of CP than argel and field fertilizer. No significant differences (P ˃ 0.05) were detected in minerals content measured when used Neem cake, Argel and Field fertilizer as organic fertilizer. It is concluded that organic fertilizers enhanced CP content and quality of fodder maize. As advantages, organic fertilizers is a cheap source of nitrogen that deficient in plant, and is safer than using chemical fertilizers and can avoid any adverse effect on animal health , soil and environmental hazards.