Response of Polynesian Arrowroot Tacca leontopetaloides to Fertilizer and Intra-Row Spacing at Garkawa

A field experiment was conducted at the Plateau State College of Agriculture, Garkawa to investigate the response of Polynesian arrowroot to fertilizer sources and intra-row spacing in 2011 and 2012 wet seasons.  Treatments consisted of three intra-row spacing (20, 25, 30cm) and five fertilizer sources (NPK, poultry manure, goat manure, cow dung and a control).These were factor ally combined and laid on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Polynesian arrowroot growth related characters (plant height, Leaf area) increased with decreased levels of intra-row spacing. Similarly, number of tillers/ha as well as fresh bulb weight kg/ha increased with decreased levels of intra-row spacing. The use of NPK fertilizer and poultry manure gave significant differences among all the fertilizer sources tried in both years. It is therefore concluded that among the intra-row spacing tried 20 and 25 cm were most appropriate, while among fertilizer sources tried NPK fertilizer and poultry manure were most appropriate. Keywords: Polynesian arrowroot, Fertilizer, Manure, Intra-row spacin

Effects of Green Manure on Crop Performance and Yeild in the Savanna Region of Nigeria: A Review

A review on the effect of green manure on crop performance and yield in the Savanna region of Nigeria was conducted in some parts of the Savanna region through the collection from some of the research works carried out by different researchers. In view of the increasing wave of scarcity and high cost of synthetic fertilizers in Nigeria, following changes in Government policies on subsidy, procurement and distribution of inorganic fertilizers, consequently, resource – poor farmers can no longer afford their use to maintain soil fertility. Therefore, the evaluation of suitability of certain green manure in maintaining and improving soil fertility and crop productivity is imperative. Thus, this study was undertaken with a view to appraising effects of green manure on crop performance and yields. More so that one of the major constraints to crop production in the tropics especially in Northern Savanna region of Nigeria is the inherently low fertility status of most of the soils. Thereby necessitated growing search for many soil fertility improvement techniques. Therefore, adoption of green manure cropping system, which is environmentally friendly and soil improver will be the best option for sustainable crop performance and yield in the Northern Savanna. Hence, it is likely to conclude that introduction of legume green manures in cropping systems would be ecologically friendly and economically justifiable