Productivity of Maize/ Bambara Groundnut Intercrop with Poultry Manure Rates.

A field experiment was conducted in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The main objective was to determine the productivity of maize/bambara groundnut intercrop with poultry manure in Owerri ultisol. The experiment consists of two (2) factors; poultry manure with 4 levels (0, 4, 8 and 12t/ha) and cropping system; sole cropping system and intercropping system (sole maize, sole Bambara and maize/bambara groundnut intercrop). This was a 4×3 factorial experiment fitted in a randomized complete block design with three (3) replications. Data on the pre and post-soil physicochemical properties, vegetative growth and yield parameters of the component crops were investigated and statistically analyzed. The results indicate that 12t ha-1 poultry manure application gave the highest growth and grain yield in maize while 4t ha-1 gave the highest grain yield in bambara groundnut as excessive manure led to delayed maturity and lush vegetative growth at the expense of pod production. Productivity indices as indicated by LER shows that maize/bambara groundnut intercropping was productive i.e has yield advantage over sole cropping. The soil pH status was significantly increased with poultry manure application after the experiment in 2016 and 2017 indicating the liming ability of poultry manure. Other soil physicochemical properties were improved with poultry manure and intercropping system. Maize/bambara groundnut intercropping system with 12t ha-1 poultry manure rate for maize as main crop and 4t/ha poultry manure rate for bambara groundnut as the inter crop are therefore recommended for adoption by farmers for efficient production and sustainable land use in Owerri ultisol South eastern Nigeria. Keywords: maize, Bambara groundnut, poultry manure, intercrop, ultisol, productivity

Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers in Food Production System in Nigeria

Food production systems must operate to be socially acceptable, environmentally sustainable and economically viable. As the availability of land and water resources is rapidly declining, there is need to increase the productivity of remaining natural resources, including energy while at the same time observing nutritional and environmental needs of our people. The single most efficient and cost-effective input that can increase the productivity of land in Nigeria is fertilizer-be it organic or inorganic. Fertilizer can increase food, root/tuber, nuts/vegetables and grain production, release marginal lands from production and reduce environmental degradation including the risk and uncertainty associated with the production of agricultural products. Efficient management of plant nutrients ensures that fertilizers are used in the most environmentally acceptable and sustainable way and that crops are supplied with all essential plant nutrients at the appropriate time and in the required quantity to avert environmental pollution. Site specific nutrient use, integrated plant nutrient supply, nutrient placement including fertigation and synchronizing nutrient supply with demand,  etc are some of the means by which fertilizers can be used more efficiently. All these will help to make more economical the use of natural resources, protect the environment and improve public image of farming and the fertilizer industry in Nigeria especially now that the land fallow systems which helped in building soil fertility have reduced to one or two year rotation

Effect of Tillage Methods and Spacing on the Productivity of Waterleaf

An experiment was carried out at the teaching and research farm of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria to determine the effect of tillage methods and spacing on the productivity of waterleaf. The treatments consist of three tillage methods (flat, Mound and bed) and three spacing (25x25cm, 30x30cm and 40x40cm). The experiment was a 3x3 factorial arrangement laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The results of the experiment indicate improved growth of leaves 40x40cm spacing at 4 and 6WAP. Tillage method using beds and flats produced better and higher yield than mound. However, the waterleaf propagated with 25x25cm spacing  produced highest yield (0.6kg/plot) 3000kg ha-1 while 40x40cm spacing  gave lowest yield (0.323kg/plot) 1610kg-1. From this experiment, the 25x25cm plant spacing is recommended to farmers for waterleaf planting because it maintained soil water because of the close spacing thus improving soil fertility. Farmers are advised to practice this method of vegetable farming which helps to maintain soil fertility for sustainability of vegetable crop production in their area

EVALUATION OF PRIMING ON ANTINUTRITIONAL FACTORS IN LEAF OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA IN RIVERS STATE NIGERIA

The capacity of priming agents on the management of antinutritional factors in the leaf of Cucurbita maxima (duchesne Linn) winter squash was evaluated using hydro-prime agent (Biomagnetic treated water) and Bioprime agents (Biochar and Bacillus licheniformis with control at Rivers State University Teaching and research farm Port Harcourt, the leaf of Cucurbita maxima primed plant was harvested and further processed for the reduction of antinutritional factors using standard methods. The harvested data was subjected to ANOVA of variance-(DUNNETT and Turkey means comparison), Microsoft test and Statistical analysis system-john Macintosh project. However, the test results inferred that Biomagnetic treated water and Bacillus licheniformis had highest positive and negative percentage difference while biochar treated sample showed equilibrium in both negative and positive percentage different but reduced more negatively on phenol antinutritional value all on the leaf and seed sample plant. Moreover, the variational analysis confirmed the efficacy of biomagnetic treated water followed by Bacillus licheniformis and biochar sample plant informed importance of ipomea aquatica as biomass for biochar production verified via sequenced result obtained