Effect of Poultry Manure on Incidence and Severity of Foliar Diseases and Weed of Telfairia occidentalis (Ugu) Intercropped with Cassava and Maize

Fluted pumpkin is dominantly grown in mixtures and sometimes sole in Southeastern Nigeria. However the yield and quality of Telfairia in these mixtures are unknown. The study investigated the effect of different rates of poultry manure and intercropping on foliar disease severity and weed incidence of Telfairia occidentalis. The field was laid out in a 4 x 5 factorial arrangement fitted into a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The treatments consist of five levels of organic manure (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10) t/ha which were applied on four intercrop combinations (Telfairia-sole; Telfairia and cassava; Telfairia and maize; Telfairia, cassava and maize). The parameters assessed were leaf spot disease, leaf blight disease and weed incidence. The result showed that the intercrop had a significant effect on disease and weed incidence whereas Telfairia-sole recorded the highest foliar disease with values of 2.73, 2.80, 3.40 for leaf spot; 2.60, 2.93, 3.26 for leaf blight; and 31.47, 69.70, 123.5 for weed incidence at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after emergence (WAE). Poultry manure recorded no significant effect on leaf spot disease and weed incidence at 4 and 8 WAE but recorded a significant effect on leaf spot disease with the highest value of 2.92 at poultry manure rate of 0.0 t/ha at 12 WAE. The interaction recorded no significant effect. Keywords: Disease, Severity, Weed, Incidence, Poultry, Manure, Intercropping

Effect plant density and poultry manure on rapid multiplication of a cassava propagule

This study appraised the effect of plant density and poultry manure rates on rapid multiplication of a cassava propagule during the late cropping season of 2007. Nine (9) treatments consisting of three cassava densities (1.0 x 1.0, 1.0 x 0.5, 1.0m x 0.25m) amended with three rates of poultry manure (0, 2 and 4 tons/ha) were laid out in 3 x 3 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete design with three replications. The research work was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Technology, Owerri in the humid rainforest of Southeastern Nigeria. Growth and yield data were collected and statistically analyzed. The soil fertility at planting was low. Poultry manure rates significantly improved the growth and yield of cassava. Cassavas spaced 1.0m x 0.25m and amended with 4 tons/ha of poultry manure were significantly tall with moderate girth and highest stem bundles and root tuber yield. Regenerative stem cuttings had good field establishment vigour. Post-harvest soil chemical analysis showed improvement in nutrient status of the soil. Cassava spaced 1.0m x 0.25m and amended with 4 tons/ha of poultry manure had highest benefit cost ratio

Crop Protection Problems in Production of Maize and Guinea Corn in Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria and Control Measures

Abstract: The cultivation of Maize and Guinea corn in the northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria is faced with lots of Crop protection problems which hinder full scale production of these crops in that ecological zone. The problems range from biotic factors like vertebrate and invertebrate pests, disease pathogens, nematode and weeds, to abiotic factors such as nutrient deficiencies, environmental conditions (climatic, edaphic), and agronomic, logistic or social problems. Addressing the various problems militating against the production of maize and Guinea corn in this zone will further help strengthen the national food reserve base and alleviate the devastating effects of the global food crisis particularly in Nigeria. [Nature and Science. 2009;7(11):45-51]

Nature and Science 2009, Ofor et al Crop protection problems in production of maize and guinea corn Crop Protection Problems in Production of Maize and Guinea Corn in Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria and Control Measures

Abstract: The cultivation of Maize and Guinea corn in the northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria is faced with lots of Crop protection problems which hinder full scale production of these crops in that ecological zone. The problems range from biotic factors like vertebrate and invertebrate pests, disease pathogens, nematode and weeds, to abiotic factors such as nutrient deficiencies, environmental conditions (climatic, edaphic), and agronomic, logistic or social problems. Addressing the various problems militating against the production of maize and Guinea corn in this zone will further help strengthen the national food reserve base and alleviate the devastating effects of the global food crisis particularly i

Effects of Planting Time and Poultry Manure on Late Season Plaintain Establishment and Yield in Owerri Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

In rainfed agriculture, plantain availability to consumer is seasonal. Late season plantain planting with appropriate organic manure application has been one of the advocated solutions. This experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Technology Teaching and Research  farm, Owerri in 2010 late season planting to determine the  appropriate time of planting and optimum manure rate that will enhance late season plantain establishment and bunch availability in the tropical rainforest. The experiment was a 3x4 factorial fitted into a randomized complete block design replicated three times. The treatments were three late season months (5th September, 5th October and 5thNovember) and four poultry manure rates (0,4,8 and 12 t.ha-1). The pre and post soil, establishment, growth and yield data were collected and analysed statistically.  The post soil chemical analysis showed an improvement on soil pH,(5.30-6.07, 5.59-5.67 and 5.73-5.72), organic matter,(2.098-2.098, 2.476-2.373 and 2.240-2.201%) calcium,(7.03-10.20, 3.60-6.40 and 5.40-5.70 l/kg) organic carbon,(1.696-1.217, 1.436-1.377 and1.436-1.277%)  phosphorous (21.39-20.86, 20.20-18.80 and14.60-13.90ppm)  and  magnesium (0.67-2.00, 0.83-1.17 and 0.83-1.00CMOL) in the treatment that received 8 and12 t ha-1 poultry manure in September, October and November planting respectively..  The residual effect of poultry manure resulted in increased yield (8.6, 7.2 and 7.0kg)  of the first ratoon crop in September, October, and November planting that received 12t ha-1poultry manure respectively.  Although poultry manure rates enhanced plantain establishment, growth and yield when planted in September, October and November, plantain planted  in September and manured with 12 t ha-1 poultry manure significantly(p=0.05) enhanced plantain establishment,(100%) ,yield (9.2kg in plant crop,8.6 first ratoon) and  income return (N 7,135,,501.8/ha) in Owerri Rainforest zone of Nigeria. Keywords: Planting time,  poultry manure, late season plantain, production, humid tropics

Effects of land-use on the decline of the African Giant Snails in Owerri, South-Eastern Nigeria

No Abstract.Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences Vol. 3 (1) 2005 pp. 25-3

Phenotypic characteristics of teh African Giant Snail Archachatina marginata swainson

No Abstract. Animal Research International Vol. 1 (3) 2004 pp. 144-14