Effects of biofertilizer containing N-fixer, P and K solubilizers and AM fungi on maize growth: A greenhouse trial.

An in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the compatibility of indigenous plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with commonly used inorganic and organic sources of fertilizers in tea plantations. The nitrogenous, phosphatic and potash fertilizers used for this study were urea, rock phosphate and muriate of potash, respectively. The organic sources of fertilizers neem cake, composted coir pith and vermicompost were also used. PGPRs such as nitrogen fixer; Azospirillum lipoferum, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB); Pseudomonas putida, Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB); Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas putida were used for compatibility study. Results were indicated that PGPRs preferred the coir pith and they proved their higher colony establishment in the formulation except Azospirillum spp. that preferred vermicompost for their establishment. The optimum dose of neem cake powder

Survey of properties and constraints of some soils of Cross River State, Nigeria for higher yields of rubber (hevea brasiliensis muel agro) trees

No Abstract.Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp.195-19

Evaluation of phosphorus status of some soils under estate rubber (Hevea Brasiliensis Muel. Agro.) trees in Southern Cross River State

No abstractKeywords: rubber tree; phosphorus uptake; soil P; leaf P; root mat PGlobal Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 4(1) 2005: 55-6

The response of late season maize/soybean intercropping to nitrogen in the humid environment of south Southern Nigeria

Field experiments were carried out between September and December in 2007 and 2008 at Akamkpa (15° 15'' N; 8° 22'' E), Nigeria. The objective was to investigate the productivity of maize and soybean as sole crops and as additive mixtures (100:100) in response to five levels of nitrogen (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg/ha) and five crop arrangements (sole maize at 53,333 plants/ha, sole soybean at 266,666 plants/ha and maize: soybean intercrop arrangements of 1:1, 2:2 and 1:2). The trial was a split-plot design in a randomized complete block with nitrogen in main plot and crop arrangement in sub-plot, with three replications. Nitrogen fertilization increased yield in both maize and soybean at all the treatment levels, when grown sole or in mixtures. Application of 100kg N/ha to maize increased number of ears per plant, cob diameter, cob length, 100-grain weight, cob yield and grain yield by 46, 106, 95, 35, 138 and 153 percent, respectively in 2007, and by 15, 33, 63, 48, 88 and 109 percent, respectively in 2008, over no nitrogen application. Similarly, application of 100kg N/ha to soybean increased number of pods per plant, number of barren pods and 1000-seed weight by 53, 120 and 16 percent, respectively in 2007, and by 55, 99 and 14 percent, respectively in 2008, over no nitrogen application. Optimum seed yield in soybean was obtained at 50 kg N/ha. The yield values of 1,352.8 and 1,158.2 kg/ha were higher than those obtained at 0 kg N/ha by 31 and 21 percent in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Increasing the nitrogen level further to 100 kg/ha depressed seed yield by 8 percent in 2007 over 0 kg/ha. The nitrogen x crop arrangement interaction effects on grain yield and all other parameters were not significant (p< 0.05). Late season maize and soybean may be planted at 50 kg N/ha to take advantage of optimum soybean seed yield and 66-76 percent of the maize grain yield.Keywords: maize, soybean, intercropping, additive mixtures, interplant arrangemen

Effects of N, P and K fertilizer levels on plant characters and yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale roscoe) in two locations in Cross River State of Nigeria

Field trials testing the effect of five rates each of N, P and K application on UGI variety (yellow ginger) were conducted in two separate locations of Akamkpa (rainforest zone) and Obubra (derived savanna zone) in Cross River State of Nigeria. The soils of Akamkpa are formed from Basement complex (Typic Dystropept) while that of Obubra are formed from shale (Lithic Dystropept). The soils for the trials were generally low in total nitrogen and organic carbon while phosphorus was higher in the Obubra soils ranging from 15.75 to 25.16 mgkg-1 compared to Akamkpa with a range of 7.04 to 15.05 mgkg-1. No distinct trend was observed in the cation content of the studied soils. The experiment was laid in a split plot design with three replications. Agronomic parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, number of shoot, leaf area and fresh rhizome yield were taken. The result showed that the tallest plants with more leaves andshoots were produced with higher rates of N at Obubra while the largest leaf area was produced at Akamkpa. The trend in growth and yield parameters showed that ginger performed better in Obubra than in Akamkpa and rhizome yield were also better in 2007 with lower amount of rainfall in the two locations. The study therefore confirmed that the optimum NPK treatment combination of 200:80:150 kg/ha gave the best rhizome yield during the trials.Key words: N, P and K fertilizers, soil properties, fertility status, growth  parameters, yiel

Preliminary studies on the response of eggplant (Solanum melongene L) in soils of different parent materials

A preliminary experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of potassium fertilizer on the performance of eggplant in soils of different parent materials in Central Cross River State. The design was laid out in asplit-plot experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications.The parent materials from six locations (Bendeghe, Etomi Ekpogrieyia, Okundi, Obubra and Ediba) occupied the mainplot while the potassium levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100kgK/ha) was assigned to the subplot. Data on plant height, number of leaves per plant and total dry matter production were collected. The result obtainedshowed that the eggplant responded significantly (P   sandstone > shale in terms of parameters assessed. Also 50kg k ha-1 gave the highest yield in most of the locations and was therefore recommended for the soils

Studies on the relationship between organic matter and exchangeable aluminium in representative soils of Cross River state

No Abstract.Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 5 (2) 2006: pp. 177-18

Changes in Rheological Properties and Heavy Metal Content of an Ultisol Amended with Ash and its Effect on Maize Yield

This study investigated the effect of ash from wood (WA), rice husk (RHA) and coconut (CA) on soil liquid limit (LL), plastic limit (PL), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), exchangeable sodium percent (ESP), exchangeable potassium percent (EPP) and contents of Cu, Fe, Bo and Pb in an Ultisol in Southeastern Nigeria. The experiment was laid out as completely randomized block design with four treatments and five replications. The treatments were applied at the rate of 4t ha-1 and maize used as a test crop. Results of the study showed significant increase (p=0.05) in LL,PL, EPP and ESP. Observed LL values were 6%,12% and 11% higher in CA, RHA and WA amended plots, respectively, relative to the control. Results of the study also showed decreased soil contents of Bo and Cu and increased Pb content to non-toxic level. Results also showed significantly (p=0.05) higher maize height and yield in ash amended plots relative to the control. Ash application is recommended since it improves soil properties and increase maize yield.Keywords: Ash, rheological properties, heavy metal, maize yieldNig J. Biotech. Vol. 25 (2013) 53 -5