Abstract
This study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Akwa Ibom State University, to determine the influence of animal manures on soil properties and maize (Zea mays) growth and grain yield. The experiment was established in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments including; control, goat manure, pig manure and poultry manure; each was replicated four times. Soil samples obtained before planting and at harvest were analyzed for physicochemical properties, while data obtained on plant growth and yield parameters were subjected to the Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at p < 0.05. The soil nutrients and maize performance were significantly higher in the animal manure treated plots than the control. Pig manure had the highest organic matter (2.18%), total nitrogen (2.31%) and available phosphorus (11.0%) increase over the control resulting in better maize growth and grain yield. Poultry manure had significant effects on increasing soil pH (6.62) and base saturation (74.26%), while goat manure contributed to improvement of soil nutrient. Among the animal manure treatments, the maize yield significantly increased in these order; Poultry Manure (507.5g) > Pig Manure (407.5g) > Goat Manure (307g) > Control (207.5g). The study concludes that poultry manure is the most effective for increase in maize grain yield in the study area.