UTILIZATION OF FERMENTED RUBBER MILL EFFLUENT AND RABBIT MANURE MIXTURE FOR SWEET MAIZE [Zea mays L. Saccharata strut] PRODUCTION IN ABRAKA, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Rubber mill effluent and rabbit manure are organic wastes continually generated in farming and processing activities. The wastes could be used for soil amendment but are carelessly dumped in the surroundings. The fermented rubber mill effluent and rabbit manure mixture were evaluated to produce sweet maize [Zea mays L. Saccharata strut] in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. The mixture was applied at the rate of 0, 4.0, 8.0, 12, 16, and 20 t/ha for two years in a randomized complete block design replicated three times and residual effect tested in the third year. Sweet maize height, leaf area, stem girth were measured at two weeks interval and yields at harvest. The data collected were analyzed with ANOVA. Duncan Multiple Range Test at P<05 level of probability was used to separate means. The fermented rubber mill effluent and rabbit manure mixture significantly increased the growth and yield of sweet maize. Its application at 20 t/ha gave the highest in both growth and yield parameters measured. This revealed that the rubber mill effluent and rabbit manure mixture could stimulate plant growth and yield and be conveniently used for sweet maize production.