Influence of Agro - Wastes on Soil Properties, Growth and Yield of Maize (zea Mays L.) in an Acid Ultisol of Owerri, Imo State

We investigated the effect of selected agro-wastes on soil properties, growth and yield of maize (Zea mays) in a Typic Haplusult during 2011 and 2013 planting season at the Teaching and Research Farm of Federal University of Technology, Owerri Imo State Southeastern Nigeria (Latitudes 5° 21’ N and 5° 27’ N and Longitudes 7° 02’E and 7° 15’ E). The experiment was a 3 x 4 factorial fitted in a Randomized Complete Block Design. In 2011 study, treatments consisted of factor A that was made up of 0 t/ha of either Saw dust or rice mill waste, 10 t/ha of Saw dust and 10 t/ha of rice mill wastes and factor B that consisted of 0, 4, 8 and 12 t/ha of poultry manure. In 2013, poultry manure rates were the same while Saw dust and rice mill wastes were reduced from 10 t/ha to 2 t/ha.The treatments were replicated four times. Data collected from soil analyses and growth performances of maize were subjected to analysis of variance while significant means among treatments were separated using least significant difference at 5 % probability level. Results showed that the amendments significantly (p < 0.05) increased soil moisture content, soil porosity and reduced soil bulk density in both seasons. Plots amended with 12 t/ha poultry manure + 10 t/ha rice mill waste recorded the highest values in the growth parameters of maize measured in 2011 while in 2013, plots treated with 12 t/ha poultry manure + 2 t/ha rice mill waste performed better than other treatments. Shoot dry matter, weight of cob and maize grain yield were significantly increased by the agro-wastes with application of 12 t/ha poultry manure + 10 t/ha rice mill wastes recording the highest shoot dry matter of 0.96 t/ha, highest cob weight of 1.46t/ha and the highest in grain yield of 1.17 t/ha in 2011. In 2013, admixture of 12 t/ha poultry manure and 2 t/ha rice mill waste recorded the highest values in shoot dry matter (1.19 t/ha), weight of cob (3.75 t/ha) and maize grain yield (1.38 t/ha). We therefore recommend application of 2 t/ha rice mill waste + 12 t/ha poultry manure for soil fertility restoration and maize production in an acid soil