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Field experiments were conducted in the 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons at the
Teaching and Research Farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, northern guinea
savanna zone of Nigeria, to investigate the effects of rates of Fertiplus (0, 5 and 10 tha-1), Compost
plus (0, 5 and 10 tha-1) and NPK 20:10:10 (0, 100 and 200 kg ha-1) on soil chemical properties,
growth and yield of pop corn (Zea mays everta). The experiment was a 3 x 3 factorial combination
of three fertilizer types (Fertiplus, Compost plus and NPK 20:10:10), applied at three rates: Fertiplus
(0, 5 and 10 tha-1), Compost plus (0, 5 and 10 tha-1), NPK 20:10:10 (0, 100 and 200kg ha-1) and laid
out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil samples were collected
before, during and after the experiment and analysed for chemical properties. Soil of the
experimental site was sandy clay loam, moderately acidic, low in organic matter, P, Ca, Mg and
CEC. The results showed that the combination of high levels of fertiplus, compost plus and NPK
20:10:10 was more effective than their sole application in both years. The combined application
significantly (P < 0.05) increased soil organic matter, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, CEC, plant height, number
of leaves, grain yield and stover yield. The residual effect of the application of 10 tha-1 fertiplus, 10
tha-1 compost plus and 200 kgha-1 NPK 20:10:10 gave highest values of organic carbon (22.72 g/
kg), N (2.90 g/kg), P (21.22 mg/kg), Ca (5.68mol(+)/kg), grain (4.68 tha-1) and stover (6.40 tha-1)
yields. Integrated application of fertiplus, compost plus and NPK fertilizers for improved soil
properties and pop corn production is recommended.
Keywords: Organic, mineral, fertilizers, soil chemical properties, pop corn, savanna.