Application of Simplex Lattice Design in Maize Fodder Production

Abstract

This study involved mixture experiment using simplex lattice design approach in cultivation of Maize crop with the view of optimizing the fertilizer components (dependent variables) on t he output parameter (maize fodder ). The objective of this study was to evaluate optimal sets of mixture of fertilizer components that coul d maximize the response variables of interest . Di - Ammonium P hospha te (DAP), Poultry manure , Sheep manure, and F armyard manure com ponents mixed in vari ous proportions in accordance with simplex lattice design were applied in p lanting hybrid maize seeds. W ith the application of the special cubic statistical model formulated, it was found that farmyard manure and poultry manure produced the optimal fertilize r condition. However, the this study further provided specific optimal fertilizer blend for ma ize fodder production as 8.0 tons ha - 1 of farmyard manure mixed with 1.212 tons ha - 1 of poultry manure. Under these conditions, a maximum outp uts 42 tons ha - 1 of maize fodder were realized. The study concluded that the formulation of statistical model for c rop production could be useful for prediction and evaluation of the effects of experimental factors.