Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum) to poultry manure rates in Maiduguri, Nigeria
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Abstract. Saddiq AA, Mahmud AA, Lassa IA, Bukar A, Gubio MT, Abdulrahman MD. 2025. Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum) to poultry manure rates in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Asian J Agric 9: 800-807. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) production in semi-arid Nigeria is limited by poor soil fertility and high fertilizer costs. This study assessed the effects of poultry manure on wheat performance during two dry seasons (2022/2023 and 2023/2024) at the University of Maiduguri Teaching and Research Farm in Maiduguri, Nigeria. A randomized complete block design with three replications tested five manure rates (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 t/ha). Growth traits (plant height, tiller number, and days to heading) and yield components (spikelets per spike, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield) were measured. Poultry manure significantly improved soil fertility and crop performance compared to the control. Grain yield rose more than six-fold, peaking at 10 t/ha (≈3.5 t/ha). However, 7.5 t/ha achieved nearly equivalent yields (≈3.2 t/ha) while delivering a more favorable cost–benefit ratio. Moderate manure rates also improved spikelet number and grain filling without nutrient imbalance observed at the highest rate. These results highlight poultry manure as a sustainable, low-cost alternative to chemical fertilizers, with 7.5 t/ha identified as the most practical rate for boosting wheat yield and profitability in semi-arid smallholder systems. In addition to yield enhancement, the study provides insight into how organic inputs can restore declining soil quality in marginal environments where resource-poor farmers struggle to afford conventional fertilizers. The observed improvements in vegetative growth and reproductive development indicate that poultry manure supplies a balanced nutrient release that supports wheat throughout its growth cycle. The two-season evaluation also demonstrates the consistency of poultry manure effects under varying dry-season conditions, confirming its reliability as an organic amendment. Overall, the findings contribute to ongoing efforts to promote climate-smart and resource-efficient agronomic practices in northern Nigeria. The recommendation of 7.5 t/ha aligns with the need for affordable strategies that enhance food security while maintaining soil health for long-term wheat production.
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