Effect of Tillage and Mulch on Growth and Performance of Maize in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted during the 2015 and 2016 cropping season at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria to evaluate the effect of different tillage systems and mulch application on the growth and performance of maize. Four tillage systems (minimum tillage, flat bed, ridge tillage and no tillage) and mulch at two levels (mulched and unmulched) were used. Data was recorded on plant height (cm), leaf area (cm2) of maize, dry cob length (cm), dry cob width (cm) 1000-grain weight (g) and grain yield (t ha-1). Tillage methods significantly affected maize growth. The maximum plant height (178.8cm) leaf area (487.0cm) 1000-grain weight (0.2500g) and grain yield (1.4g) were observed in ridged tillage while no tillage as compared to minimum tillage and flat bed. Mulch significantly affected the growth of maize. The maximum values of plant height (144.5cm), leaf area (411.0cm) dry cob length (cm) (11.16cm), dry cob width (10. 52cm), 1000-grain weight (0.1717g) and grain yield (0.90 tons/ha) were obtained when mulch was applied compared to the unmulched plots. There was no significant difference between the interaction of tillage and mulch. Ridged tillage × mulch produced the best result on maize performance