Effects of Plant Population and NPK 20:10:10 Fertilizer Rates on the Growth and Grain Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Maize productivity is low in Nigeria due to declining soil fertility among other factors. This can be improved through balanced soil fertilization with the adoption optimum stand density. Trials were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the effects of plant population and NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer on the growth and grain yield of maize in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. This experiments involved three NPK 20:10:10 rates (0, 600, and 800 kg ha-1 ) and three number of plants per stand (1, 2, and 3 plants) were laid out in 3 x 3 factorial arrangements fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data were collected on vegetative characters and grain yield components The results showed that increased NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer application rates increased vegetative characters and and grain yield of maize, higher number of plants per stand increased plant growth, LAI, grain yield, and reduced the stem girths