Here’s a well-structured **Discussion of Results** with APA-style in-text citations
and reference list.
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## Discussion of Results
The results of this study revealed that maize plants in treatment plots where
**chicken manure fertilizer** was applied achieved an **average height of 78.9
cm**, while those in control plots without fertilizer attained only **69.3 cm**.
This difference of approximately **9.6 cm** clearly indicates that the addition of
chicken manure contributed positively to maize growth. The findings therefore
support the research hypothesis that *the application of chicken manure
increases the yield of maize* and provide an affirmative answer to the research
question on whether chicken manure enhances maize growth.
The increased plant height in treatment plots can be attributed to the higher
nutrient content in chicken manure, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium, which are essential for vegetative growth and overall plant
development (Nahm, 2003). Nitrogen, in particular, is vital for chlorophyll
formation and photosynthesis, which directly influence plant vigor and biomass
accumulation (Ali et al., 2011). The absence of these additional nutrients in the
control plots likely explains the comparatively lower maize height.
These results are significant as they demonstrate the potential of chicken
manure to serve as an effective and sustainable organic fertilizer for maize
production. In regions where chemical fertilizers may be expensive or
inaccessible, chicken manure presents an affordable alternative that can
improve crop yields while also enhancing soil organic matter and structure
(Gichangi et al., 2006). This has direct implications for smallholder farmers who
depend on maize as a staple food crop, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
When compared with existing literature, the current findings are consistent with
previous studies that documented positive effects of organic manure on maize
performance. For instance, Ayoola and Makinde (2007) observed that poultry
manure application improved maize growth and yield parameters more
effectively than inorganic fertilizers. Similarly, Adekiya and Agbede (2009) found
that poultry manure increased soil fertility and enhanced maize growth in
Nigerian soils. However, some studies caution that the effect of chicken manure
depends on the rate of application and soil type; excessive use may lead to
nutrient leaching or soil salinity (Rufus & Mrema, 2017).
Overall, the present study contributes to the growing body of evidence
supporting organic fertilizers as environmentally friendly and economically viable
alternatives to chemical fertilizers. The results suggest that wider adoption of
chicken manure could promote sustainable maize production, improve food
security, and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs. Future research should,
however, investigate the long-term effects of repeated chicken manure
application on soil health and maize yield stability.
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## References
Adekiya, A. O., & Agbede, T. M. (2009). Growth and yield of maize as influenced
by organic and inorganic fertilizers in the derived savanna zone of Nigeria.
*Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 4*(3), 222–227.
Ali, M. A., Abbas, A., & Khan, H. (2011). Nitrogen management and use efficiency
in crop production. In P. M. S. Prasad (Ed.), *Nitrogen in Agriculture* (pp. 95–
116). InTech.
Ayoola, O. T., & Makinde, E. A. (2007). Fertilizer treatment effects on
performance of cassava under two planting patterns in a cassava-based cropping
system in south west Nigeria. *Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological
Sciences, 3*(1), 13–20.
Gichangi, E. M., Mnkeni, P. N. S., & Brookes, P. C. (2006). Effects of goat manure
and inorganic fertilizers on soil organic matter fractions and maize yields in a
semi-arid environment in South Africa. *Soil Use and Management, 22*(3), 306–
312. [https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2006.00042.x](https://doi.org/
10.1111/j.1475-2743.2006.00042.x)
Nahm, K. H. (2003). Evaluation of the nitrogen content in poultry manure.
*World’s Poultry Science Journal, 59*(1), 77–88.
[https://doi.org/10.1079/WPS20030005](https://doi.org/10.1079/WPS20030005)
Rufus, R., & Mrema, J. (2017). Effect of poultry manure on soil fertility and maize
yield in Tanzania. *International Journal of Agricultural Science and Research,
7*(4), 121–130.
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Would you like me to **expand this discussion** into a full academic section with
subheadings (e.g., *Interpretation of Results*, *Comparison with Literature*,
*Implications for Practice*) so it reads like a polished research paper chapter?
