Influence of Rice Husk Ash Application Rates on Growth, Yield, and Soil Fertility of Maize (Zea mays) in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Declining land productivity due to low soil fertility, resulting from continuous cultivation and inadequate use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, is a major cause of reduced crop productivity. To address this issue, a field experiment was conducted at the Research and Teaching Farm of the Department of Crop Production Technology at the Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu (FCAI) during the 2024 cropping season. The aim was to determine the influence of different rice husk ash (RHA) application rates on the growth, yield, and soil fertility of maize (Zea mays). The experiment was designed as a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with four treatments (0, 4.2, 8.3, and 12.5t/ha of RHA) and three replications, resulting in a total of twelve plots. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm before treatment application and after crop harvest, and analyzed following standard laboratory procedures. Data were analyzed using SAS software (version 9.0). The results indicated that the 12.5t/ha rate of RHA showed the greatest improvement in maize growth, grain yield, and soil fertility. Significant (p<0.05) increases in maize growth and grain yield were observed with the application of 8.3t/ha and 12.5t/ha rates of RHA compared to the control. From the results, it can be concluded that applying different rates of RHA led to short-term improvements in maize growth and grain yield. The control plots, which did not receive any RHA, exhibited poor performance in both growth and yield, highlighting the positive effect of RHA on maize production.