Comparative Assessment of Organic Manures (Cow Dung and Poultry Manure) and NPK Fertilizer on Soil Quality in a Part of Guinea Savannah Region of Nigeria

The study assessed how organic (cow dung and poultry manure) and NPK Fertilizer on soil quality. The study adopted an experimental design. The research used primary sources of data; primary data was data on soil, maize grain and maize leaves; two experimental plot was set up for poultry and control plot, the experimental plot was set up at size of 5mx5m and separated by 2meter apart, two bags of 25kg of dry poultry manure was applied to the poultry plot and the maize was planted at the depth of 15cm, twenty-five (25) top soil and twenty five (25) sub soil sample were collected at each experimental plot making a total of hundred (100) soil sample collected altogether at the study area, after which the top soil samples were composted as one and the sub soils were also composted as one, crop grains and leaves were also plugged and tested in the laboratory. Findings revealed that Poultry manure application plot recorded highest value of Organic carbon (0.511% and 0.452%), organic matter (1.031% and 1.101%), total nitrogen (0.213% and 0.221%), available phosphorus (46.81mg/kg and 49.22mg/kg), potassium (1.031 coml/kg and 1.106 coml/kg), calcium (7.35coml/kg and 7.01coml/kg), magnesium (4.01coml/kg and 3.945coml/kg), sodium (0.103coml/kg and 0.067coml/kg) on top and sub soil, ECEC (11.98 and 10.31) and base saturation (79.41and 61.32). The findings revealed poultry manure is more suitable for animal folder than other nutrients plot, as poultry recorded three major macro nutrients (potassium (15235.69), magnesium (1054.73), and phosphorus (5.56) against the two recorded by control plot. the study revealed that poultry manure is more suitable for maize grain. statistically, there is significant difference in the soil properties among the replica plots at top soil, there is also significant variation in maize yield in the four plots, more also there is significant variation in the nutritional value of maize leaves/straw as potential animal feeds in the respective plots, furthermore there is significant variation in the nutrient content of maize grain across the replica plots. The study recommend application of apply poultry manure to improve soil fertility status during decline in soil fertility.