UTJECAJ SJEMENE POGAČE NIMA (Azadirachta indica L.) NA RAST I PRINOS BAMIJE (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Soils of the southern Guinea savannah are generally inherently infertile owing to low vegetation cover, soil erosion and low organic matter content due to constant bush fire. Consequently, farmers move close to streams and rivers in the dry season where okra is cultivated by irrigation. Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ilorin, Ilorin Nigeria during the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons to evaluate the effects of neem seed cake on the performance of okra. The neem seed cake was incorporated into the soil one week before sowing of the okra seeds at the rate of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 t/ha. The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Data were collected on growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves and number of branches) and yield parameters (fruit length and girth, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant and fruit weight per hectare). The result indicated that applying neem seed cake significantly affected the growth and yield parameters that were evaluated. Applying neem seed cake, however gave the highest yield at 3t/ha. Percentage mean for the two years combined was 75.81% over the control.Tla savane južne Gvineje su općenito neplodna zbog niskog vegetacijskog pokrova, erozije tla i niskog sadržaja organske tvari, izazvanog stalnim požarom grmovitog raslinja. Stoga se u sušnom razdoblju poljoprivrednici sele u blizinu potoka i rijeka zbog navodnjavanja bamije. Terenski pokusi provedeni su na Nastavno-istraživačkoj farmi Sveučilišta u Ilorinu u Nigeriji tijekom sjetve u 2012. i 2013., da bi se procijenio utjecaj sjemene pogače nima na svojstva bamije. Sjemena pogača nima stavila se u zemlju tjedan dana prije sjetve bamijinog sjemena u omjeru 0, 1, 2, 3 i 4 t/ha. Pokus je postavljen prema slučajnom bloknom rasporedu u tri ponavljanja. Podaci su prikupljeni mjerenjem pokazatelja rasta (visina biljke, broj listova i broj grana) i prinosa (dužina ploda i opseg, broj plodova po biljci, težini ploda po biljci i hektaru). Rezultati su pokazali da je primjena sjemene pogače nima značajno utjecala na pokazatelje rasta i prinosa. Međutim, primjena sjemene pogače nima prema omjeru dala je najveći prinos. Prosječno relativno povećanje prinosa, dobiveno primjenom sjemene pogače nima, iznosilo je 75.81%

Potassium iodide influence on iodine-leaf concentration and growth of amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.).

Low iodine content in soils is a common feature in lowland and in mountainous regions far from oceans. The diets of the people living in these regions are often deficient in dietary iodine, resulting in chronic iodine deficiency syndrome, goiter, hearing loss and other debilitating diseases. A field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ilorin, Nigeria during the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons, to evaluate the response of amaranths to iodine enrichment using an agronomic approach. The trial consisted of potassium iodide (KI) applied as foliar spray at 0, 3.5, 7, 10.5, 14 kg ha-1 and soil applied at the rates of 4, 8, 12 and 16 kg ha-1. These treatments were in four replicates laid out in a randomized complete block design. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, crop growth rate, yield and iodine-leaf concentration. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by mean separation using Duncan`s Multiple range test p 0.05. The results indicated that the use of KI improved the growth of amaranthus at the low level of application, but foliar application at 10.5 and 14 kg ha-1 yielded the highest iodine leaf concentration. Although application of iodine in amaranthus improved iodine leaf concentration, there was a colour change at higher rates of application which may affect the acceptability of the vegetable by consumers

Soil Properties, Growth, Fruit Yield, Mineral, Lycopene and Vitamin C Contents of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) Grown with Green Manures and NPK Fertilizer

Green manures as an alternative to inorganic fertilizer offer considerable potential as a source of plant nutrients and organic matter. Hence, field experiments were carried out during 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons to compare impacts of green manures (GM) and NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer on soil properties, growth, fruit yield, mineral, lycopene and vitamin C contents of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). The GM from green tender stems and leaves of: Pawpaw (Carica papaya L.), Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) and Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp.) were applied at 5 t ha-1, and the NPK fertilizer was applied at 300 kg ha-1. Plots without fertilizer were used as a control. Application of GMs reduced soil bulk density and increased soil organic matter (OM), N, P, K, Ca, Mg, growth and fruit yield of tomato compared with the control. The NPK fertilizer had no effect on soil bulk density and soil OM, and increased soil N, P, K, Ca, Mg, growth and fruit yield of tomato compared with the control. Gliricidia increased growth and fruit yield of tomato compared with NPK fertilizer and other GMs. The GMs and NPK fertilizer increased mineral, lycopene and vitamin C contents in the tomato fruits compared with the control. Moringa produced higher K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, lycopene and vitamin C contents compared with other GMs and NPK fertilizer. Use of GM has potential to improve soil properties, and growth, fruit yield and nutritional contents of tomato than does NPK fertilizer. The Gliricidia treatment best improved soil properties and tomato productivity as indicated by the benefit-cost ratio. For those growing tomato for fruit quantity Gliricidia is recommended as green manure. For those that desire fruit quality Moringa is recommended as green manure

Soil Properties, Growth, Fruit Yield, Mineral, Lycopene and Vitamin C Contents of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) Grown with Green Manures and NPK Fertilizer

Green manures as an alternative to inorganic fertilizer offer considerable potential as a source of plant nutrients and organic matter. Hence, field experiments were carried out during 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons to compare impacts of green manures (GM) and NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer on soil properties, growth, fruit yield, mineral, lycopene and vitamin C contents of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). The GM from green tender stems and leaves of: Pawpaw (Carica papaya L.), Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) and Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp.) were applied at 5 t ha-1, and the NPK fertilizer was applied at 300 kg ha-1. Plots without fertilizer were used as a control. Application of GMs reduced soil bulk density and increased soil organic matter (OM), N, P, K, Ca, Mg, growth and fruit yield of tomato compared with the control. The NPK fertilizer had no effect on soil bulk density and soil OM, and increased soil N, P, K, Ca, Mg, growth and fruit yield of tomato compared with the control. Gliricidia increased growth and fruit yield of tomato compared with NPK fertilizer and other GMs. The GMs and NPK fertilizer increased mineral, lycopene and vitamin C contents in the tomato fruits compared with the control. Moringa produced higher K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, lycopene and vitamin C contents compared with other GMs and NPK fertilizer. Use of GM has potential to improve soil properties, and growth, fruit yield and nutritional contents of tomato than does NPK fertilizer. The Gliricidia treatment best improved soil properties and tomato productivity as indicated by the benefit-cost ratio. For those growing tomato for fruit quantity Gliricidia is recommended as green manure. For those that desire fruit quality Moringa is recommended as green manure

The Effects of Inorganic Fertilizer on the Yield of Two Varieties of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L

Abstract: Field experiments were conducted for three years during the rainy seasons of 2006 to 2008 at the Teaching and Research Farm of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (Lat. 6 0 45 1 North and Long. 6 0 08' East and an altitude of 460 meters above sea level). Compound fertilizer (N.P.K.20:10:10) was applied at 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg/ha to two varieties (Ashley and Palmetto) using a 2 x 5 factorial scheme replicated three times. Data were collected on vegetative traits, yield and yield components of cucumber and statistically analyzed. Results revealed significant differences (P<0.05) among the varieties in terms of vine length, number of branches and leaf area, The growth and yield attributes of cucumber including the vine length, number of leaves per plant, number of branches, leaf area, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight per plant, fruit number per plant and total yield per hectare increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increase in inorganic fertilizer application up to the highest level

IMPACT OF POULTRY MANURE AND NPK FERTILIZER ON SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND GROWTH AND YIELD OF CARROT

A field experiment was conducted in the forest-savanna transition zone of Nigeria from May to July 2014 and September to November 2015 to determine the impacts of poultry manure (PM) and NPK fertilizer on soil physical properties, and growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L.). The five treatments included no manure or fertilizer (control); 10, 20, and 30 megagrams (Mg)·ha-1 of PM; and 300 kg·ha-1 of 15 N-15 P-15 K fertilizer. All levels of PM reduced soil bulk density and temperature, and improved total porosity and moisture content compared to the NPK fertilizer and the control. Plant height, number of leaves, root diameter, root length, and fresh root yield in the PM and NPK fertilizer treatments were improved compared to the control. Growth and yield parameters of carrot plants treated with 20 and 30 Mg·ha-1 PM were higher than the other treatments. The 10 Mg·ha-1 PM and NPK fertilizer treatments produced similar growth and yield responses. There was an interaction for year (Y) × fertilizer (F) on plant height, number of leaves, and fresh root yield. Relative to the control 10, 20, or 30 Mg·ha-1 PM and NPK fertilizer increased fresh root yield of carrot by 39.9%, 62.0%, 64.9%, and 37.3%, respectively. The 20 Mg·ha-1 PM treatment best improved soil properties and carrot productivity as indicated by the benefit-to-cost ratio

Performance of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) in response to organic and NPK fertilizers

The soil of North-Central Nigeria is home to many plant products that are used as industrial raw materials, and after processing their waste are often left in drainage channels, which ultimately find their way into rivers and streams where they pollute these water bodies, and sometimes some of these materials are burnt, which further aggravates global warming. In addition, the soil of the region is characterized by low organic matter content because of annual bush burnings, which reduce the low humus content of soils. Watermelon requires a fertile soil, which is high in organic matter content, while infertile soils yield an increased production of male flowers at the expense of female flowers, which results in low fruit set. Therefore, a study was carried out at the University of Ilorin Teaching and Research Farm, Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria, during the rainy seasons of 2013 and 2014 to assess the effect of different organic materials on the growth and yield of watermelon. The factors imposed were a control, NPK fertilizer and five organic materials (neem seed cake (NSC), jatropha seed cake (JSC), poultry manure (PM), compost manure (CM), and cow dung (CD)). The experiment was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated thrice. Data collected on soil physico-chemical properties were: organic matter content, soil pH, organic carbon, total N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, bulk density (BD), micro porosity (MIP), macro porosity (MAP), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (KS). Plant parameters evaluated include growth (vine length and number of leaves) and yield (number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant, and yield ha−1). Results indicated that the organic matter content increased after the first year’s cropping and declined at the end of the study. The amended plots showed significantly higher values (P < 0.05) with respect to most soil physical properties (MIP), (MAP), and (KS), except the BD, where the values were lower. The bulk density particularly deteriorated on soils that were not organically amended. In addition, the soil chemical properties examined increased following the first year’s cropping, and thereafter declined at the end of the second-year cropping season. The response of watermelon showed that the two years’ yield data ranged between 334 and 402 t/ha, 306 and 390 t/ha, and 38.25 and 59.20 t/ha for NPK, poultry manure, and control treatments respectively. From the results, it was observed that the organic amendments were environmentally more friendly compared to the inorganic amendment (NPK fertilizer) in terms of positive effects on soil structural properties

Impacts of poultry manure and biochar amendments on the nutrients in sweet potato leaves and the minerals in the storage roots

Abstract Poultry manure (PM) has demonstrated its potential to enhance crop nutritional quality. Nevertheless, there remains a dearth of knowledge regarding its synergistic effects when combined with wood biochar (B) on the nutrient concentrations in sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea batatas L.) and the mineral content stored in sweet potato storage roots. Hence, a two-year field trial was undertaken during the 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons in southwestern Nigeria, spanning two locations (Owo—site A and Obasooto—site B), to jointly apply poultry manure and wood biochar as soil amendments aimed at enhancing the nutritional quality of sweet potato crop. Each year, the experiment involved different combinations of poultry manure at rates of 0, 5.0, and 10.0 t ha−1 and biochar at rates of 0, 10.0, 20.0, and 30.0 t ha−1, organized in a 3 × 4 factorial layout. The results of the present study demonstrated that the individual application of poultry manure (PM), biochar (B), or their combination had a significant positive impact on the nutrient composition of sweet potato leaves and minerals stored in the sweet potato storage roots, with notable synergistic effects between poultry manure and biochar (PM × B) in enhancing these parameters. This highlights the potential of biochar to enhance the efficiency of poultry manure utilization and improve nutrient utilization from poultry manure. The highest application rate of poultry manure at 10.0 t ha−1 and biochar at 30.0 t ha−1 (PM10 + B30), resulted in the highest leaf nutrient concentrations and mineral composition compared to other treatments at both sites. Averaged over two years, the highest application rate of poultry manure at 10.0 t ha−1 and biochar at 30.0 t ha−1 (PM10 + B30) significantly increased sweet potato leaf nutrient concentrations: nitrogen by 88.2%, phosphorus by 416.7%, potassium by 123.8%, calcium by 927.3%, and magnesium by 333.3%, compared to those in the control (PM0 + B0). The same treatment increased the concentration of sweet potato root storage minerals: phosphorus by 152.5%, potassium by 77.4%, calcium by 205.5%, magnesium by 294.6%, iron by 268.4%, zinc by 228.6%, and sodium by 433.3%, compared to the control. The highest application rate of poultry manure at 10.0 t ha−1 and biochar at 30.0 t ha−1 yielded the highest economic profitability in terms of gross margin (44,034 US$ha−1), net return (30,038 US$ ha−1) and return rate or value-to-cost ratio (VCR) (263). The results suggested that the application of poultry manure at 10 t ha−1 and biochar at 30 t ha−1 is economically profitable in the study areas and under similar agroecological zones and soil conditions