Effect of methods and time of poultry manure application on soil and leaf nutrient concentrations, growth and fruit yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)

AbstractIn order to obtain maximum economic value of plant nutrients in poultry manure and increase in tomato yield, field experiments were conducted at Owo, southwest Nigeria, during 2012 and 2013 early cropping seasons to study the effect of two methods (broadcasting on the soil surface and the incorporated) and four times (3weeks before transplanting (3 WBTP), 0week at transplanting (0 WATP), 3weeks after transplanting (3 WATP), and 6weeks after transplanting (6 WATP) of poultry manure (PM)) applications on soil chemical properties, leaf nutrient concentrations, growth and yield of tomato. The eight treatments were factorially arranged in a randomized block design with 3 replications. Results showed that PM incorporated into the soil produced higher soil organic matter and soil and leaf N, P, K, Ca, Mg, growth and yield (0.9tha−1) of tomato compared with broadcast method. Also PM applied at 3 WBTP had higher leaf nutrient concentrations and better growth and yield of tomato compared with 0 WATP, 3 WATP and 6 WATP. The higher yield of 3 WBTP was adduced to better synchrony between crop demand and nutrient supply. Using the mean of the two years, 3 WBTP increased tomato fruit yield by 4.0, 2.8 and 1.5tha−1 compared with 6 WATP, 3 WATP and 0 WATP, respectively. This yield difference can be economical on large scale tomato production. Therefore application of PM at 3 WBTP with incorporated method is recommended for tomato cultivation in the forest-savanna transition zone of southwest Nigeria

Growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) as influenced by poultry manure and NPK fertilizer

Four field trials were conducted during the years 2006 and 2007 at Owo, the forest- savanna transition zone in southwest Nigeria, to study the effect of poultry manure (PM), NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer and NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer + poultry manure on the growth and yield of tomato. Seven treatments were applied to the soil: 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 t ha-1 poultry manure , 300 kg ha-1 NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer and 150 kg ha-1 NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer + 10 t ha-1 poultry manure. These were laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The treatments were compared on the basis of their effect on soil chemical properties, leaf nutrient content, growth and yield of tomato. All levels of poultry manure and NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer + poultry manure increased leaf N, P, K, Ca and Mg levels. The soil chemical properties except pH increased with amount of poultry manure. NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer alone did not increase the soil and leaf Ca and Mg. All levels of poultry manure, NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer alone and NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer + poultry manure increased the number of leaves, plant height, leaf area, number of fruits and fruit weight significantly. Among poultry manure levels, 30 t ha-1 poultry manure gave the highest fruit yield. Among the seven treatments, NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer + poultry manure gave the highest yield. On an average over the two years, 10, 20, 30, 40 t ha-1 poultry manure, 300 kg ha-1 NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer alone and 150 kg ha-1 NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer + 10 t ha-1 poultry manure treatments increased fruit weight by 19, 36, 51, 14, 20 and 83%, respectively. Results revealed that poultry manure is a suitable source of nutrients for tomato especially if applied at 30 t ha-1 in the forest-savanna transition zone of southwest Nigeria. The combined use of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer and poultry manure increased tomato yield compared to the application of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer or poultry manure alone and is therefore recommended for sustainable productivity. In addition, lesser quantities of poultry manure and NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer would be required, therefore, reducing the amount of money spent on chemical fertilizer

SOIL PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND COCOYAM YIELD UNDER DIFFERENT TILLAGE SYSTEMS IN A TROPICAL ALFISOL

Experimental data on tillage requirement of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) are needed to identify the most suitable tillage methods for managing the fragile Alfisols of the humid tropics to ensure sustained productivity. Hence, five tillage methods were compared as to their effects on soil physical and chemical properties, and growth and yield of cocoyam on an Alfisol at Owo in the forest-savanna transition zone of southwest Nigeria. The experiment consisted of five tillage methods: manual clearing (MC), manual ridging (MR), manual mounding (MM), ploughing + harrowing (P + H) and ploughing + harrowing twice (P + 2 H) were used for three years at two sites in a randomized complete block design with three replications. In the first two years (2007 and 2008), P + H produced the least soil bulk density and highest growth and yield, whereas in the third year (2009), MC produced the lowest soil bulk density and best performance of cocoyam. Manual clearing produced the best values of soil chemical properties in 2008 and 2009. Averaged over the three years, P + H, MR and MM had lower soil bulk density hence better growth and yield compared with P + 2 H and MC. Over the three years MC, MM, MR and P + H increased cocoyam cormel yield by 10, 21, 23 and 32%, respectively, over P + 2 H.The corresponding increases in corm yield were 7, 15, 13 and 21%, respectively. The multiple regressions revealed that bulk density and moisture content significantly influenced the yield of cocoyam. Soil chemical properties were not significant. Bulk density rather than soil chemical properties dictated the performance of cocoyam in an Alfisol of southwest Nigeria. Soil quality was degraded by P + 2H. For small farms, either MR or MM is recommended while P + H is recommended for large-scale farming of cocoyam. INTRODUCTION The majority of Alfisols available for crop production in the tropics are strongly weathered and of inherently low organic matter and nutrient status (Lal, 1987). In addition, Alfisols have a weak structure and are highly susceptible to crusting, compaction and accelerated erosion (Lal, 1987) leading to low crop yields. Cocoyam like any other root and tuber crops is a heavy feeder, exploiting a large volume of soil for nutrient and water (Osundare, 2004). Tillage is an important cultural practice that can be used to increase the yield of cocoyam. In the humid tropics where most farmers are poor and fertilizer is expensive, soil working and tillage methods can temporarily serve as an alternative to fertilizer application (Adekiya and Ojeniyi, 2002). §Correspondin

SOIL PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND COCOYAM YIELD UNDER DIFFERENT TILLAGE SYSTEMS IN A TROPICAL ALFISOL

Experimental data on tillage requirement of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) are needed to identify the most suitable tillage methods for managing the fragile Alfisols of the humid tropics to ensure sustained productivity. Hence, five tillage methods were compared as to their effects on soil physical and chemical properties, and growth and yield of cocoyam on an Alfisol at Owo in the forest-savanna transition zone of southwest Nigeria. The experiment consisted of five tillage methods: manual clearing (MC), manual ridging (MR), manual mounding (MM), ploughing + harrowing (P + H) and ploughing + harrowing twice (P + 2 H) were used for three years at two sites in a randomized complete block design with three replications. In the first two years (2007 and 2008), P + H produced the least soil bulk density and highest growth and yield, whereas in the third year (2009), MC produced the lowest soil bulk density and best performance of cocoyam. Manual clearing produced the best values of soil chemical properties in 2008 and 2009. Averaged over the three years, P + H, MR and MM had lower soil bulk density hence better growth and yield compared with P + 2 H and MC. Over the three years MC, MM, MR and P + H increased cocoyam cormel yield by 10, 21, 23 and 32%, respectively, over P + 2 H.The corresponding increases in corm yield were 7, 15, 13 and 21%, respectively. The multiple regressions revealed that bulk density and moisture content significantly influenced the yield of cocoyam. Soil chemical properties were not significant. Bulk density rather than soil chemical properties dictated the performance of cocoyam in an Alfisol of southwest Nigeria. Soil quality was degraded by P + 2H. For small farms, either MR or MM is recommended while P + H is recommended for large-scale farming of cocoyam. INTRODUCTION The majority of Alfisols available for crop production in the tropics are strongly weathered and of inherently low organic matter and nutrient status (Lal, 1987). In addition, Alfisols have a weak structure and are highly susceptible to crusting, compaction and accelerated erosion (Lal, 1987) leading to low crop yields. Cocoyam like any other root and tuber crops is a heavy feeder, exploiting a large volume of soil for nutrient and water (Osundare, 2004). Tillage is an important cultural practice that can be used to increase the yield of cocoyam. In the humid tropics where most farmers are poor and fertilizer is expensive, soil working and tillage methods can temporarily serve as an alternative to fertilizer application (Adekiya and Ojeniyi, 2002). §Correspondin

Step-by-step Guideline for disease-specific costing studies in low and middle income countries: a mixed methodology.

__Abstract__ BACKGROUND: Disease-specific costing studies can be used as input into cost-effectiveness analyses and provide important information for efficient resource allocation. However, limited data availability and limited expertise constrain such studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). OBJECTIVE: To describe a step-by-step guideline for conducting disease-specific costing studies in LMICs where data availability is limited and to illustrate how the guideline was applied in a costing study of cardiovascular disease prevention care in rural Nigeria. DESIGN: The step-by-step guideline provides practical recommendations on methods and data requirements for six sequential steps: 1) definition of the study perspective, 2) characterization of the unit of analysis, 3) identification of cost items, 4) measurement of cost items, 5) valuation of cost items, and 6) uncertainty analyses.Please provide the significance of asterisk given in table body. RESULTS: We discuss the necessary tradeoffs between the accuracy of estimates and data availability constraints at each step and illustrate how a mixed methodology of accurate bottom-up micro-costing and more feasible approaches can be used to make optimal use of all available data. An illustrative example from Nigeria is provided. CONCLUSIONS: An innovative, user-friendly guideline for disease-specific costing in LMICs is presented, using a mixed methodology to account for limited data availability. The illustrative example showed that the step-by-step guideline can be used by healthcare professionals in LMICs to conduct feasible and accurate disease-specific cost analyses

Effect of wood ash, poultry manure and NPK fertilizer on soil and leaf nutrient composition, growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus

The data on poultry manure (PM), wood ash (WA) and NPK fertilizer are needed to identify strategies for sustainable management of a degraded Alfisol for improving agronomic productivity. Hence field experiments were conducted at Owo in the forest-savanna transition zone of southwest Nigeria to study the effects of organic amendments and NPK fertilizer on the soil chemical properties, leaf nutrient concentrations, growth and pod yield of okra. Seven treatments considered in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were control (no manure/fertilizer), 5.0 t ha- 1 PM, 10.0 t ha-1 PM, 5.0 t hav WA, 10.0 t ha-1 WA, 5.0 t ha-1 PM + 5. 0 t ha-1 WA and NPK 15-15-15 (200 kg ha-1) fertilizer. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Organic amendments (PM and WA) improved soil organic C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg and leaf N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations, growth and yield of okra compared with the control. NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer increased soil N, P and K, but did not increase soil organic C, Ca and Mg and leaf Ca and Mg of okra. Combined application of 5.0 t ha-1 PM + 5.0 t ha-1 WA mostly improved leaf and soil N, P, K, Ca and Mg and soil organic C, growth and okra yield compared with other treatments. The superior performance of 5.0 t ha-1 PM + 5.0 t ha-1 WA was adduced to increased availability of nutrients following the inclusion of PM which aided faster decomposition and release of nutrients. Relative to the control, using the mean of the 3 years, 5.0 t ha-1 WA, 5.0 t ha-1 PM, NPK fertilizer, 5.0 t ha-1 PM + 5.0 t ha-1 WA, 10.0 t ha-1 WA and 10.0 t ha-1 PM increases pod yield by 23, 64, 68, 255, 41 and 123%, respectively. Combined use of PM and WA is recommended for ameliorating degraded Alfisol of southwest Nigeria and also reduced the quantities of PM and WA required for soil fertility maintenance

Tillage Effects on Soil Properties and Performance of Sweet Potato on an Alfisol in Southwestern Nigeria

The data on tillage systems are needed to identify appropriate tillage methods for managing the fragile soils of the humid tropics to ensure sustained productivity. Hence, five tillage methods were compared as to their effect on soil physical and chemical properties, leaf nutrient concentration, growth and yield of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.). Tillage methods compared during 3 years on an Oxic Tropuldalf at Owo in the forest-savanna transition zone of southwest Nigeria were manual clearing (MC), manual mounding (MM), manual ridging (MR), row tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT). These were replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. Tilled plots (manual mounding), (manual ridging), (row tillage) and (conventional tillage) resulted in higher soil N, P, K and Ca and leaf N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations, growth and yield of sweet potato compared with untilled (manual clearing) plot. The growth and yield were in increasing order; manual clearing, row tillage, manual mounding, manual ridging and conventional tillage. This was consistent with the decreasing order of bulk density and increasing order of porosity. Bulk density and total porosity were negatively and positively correlated with yield, respectively. Compared with manual clearing, manual mounding, manual ridging, row tillage and conventional tillage increased tuber weight by 64, 66, 45 and 92%, respectively. The highest yield was obtained with conventional tillage with the lowest soil bulk density and highest porosity. It is concluded that sweet potato can be grown successfully on well tiled soils of marginal fertility

Evaluation of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) performance and soil properties under tillage methods and poultry manure levels

Research study on the effect of tillage systems and application rate of poultry manure on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) in Alfisol of southwest Nigeria is lacking. Field trials were conducted in 2006, 2007 and 2008 cropping seasons on an Alfisol (Oxic Tropuldalf) at Owo in rainforest zone of southwest Nigeria. The trials consisted of the factorial combinations of two tillage methods (manual clearing and conventional tillage) and four manure levels (0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha) arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Conventional tillage alone (CTo) resulted in lower soil N, P, K, Ca, Mg and soil organic C and better leaf N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations, growth and yield of sweet potato compared with manually cleared (MCo) plots. The better performance of sweet potato under conventional tillage (CTo) was adduced to reduced bulk density. Bulk density was negatively correlated with yield. Conventional tillage alone (CTo) improves sweet potato tuber yield by 62, 55 and 42% in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively compared with manual clearing alone (MCo). In both the manually cleared and conventionally tilled plots, soil organic C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and water content increased with amount of poultry manure, while soil pH, bulk density and temperature were reduced. Yields given by 5, 10 and 15 t/ha poultry manure were not significantly different under both manually cleared and conventionally tilled treatments. Conventional tillage plus 5 t/ha poultry manure (CT+5 PM) produced the highest overall yield. Compared with manual clearing alone (MCo) and conventional tillage alone (CTo), conventional tillage plus 5 t/ha poultry manure (CT+5 PM) improved tuber yield of sweet potato by 117 and 43%, respectively. Therefore the use of 5 t/ha poultry manure with conventional tillage is recommended for sweet potato production on an Alfisol of southwest Nigeria