Yield and Distribution/Uptake of Nutrients of Dioscorea rotundata Influenced by NPK Fertilizer Application

Two field trials were conducted in 2005 and 2006 at Evboneka to determine the optimum level of NPK requirement for yield and nutrient composition of D. rotundata for the forest ultisol location. Fresh tuber yield, dry matter accumulation, percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content of leaves and tubers at various stages and crude protein content of harvested tubers were evaluated under five levels (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kilogramme per hectare (kg ha-1) of NPK fertilizer using randomized complete block design. NPK fertilizer application significantly increased all the tested parameters. The optimum level of NPK for successful production of white guinea yam was 300 (45 kg N + 20.37 kg P + 37.35 kg K) kg ha-1 in a forest ultisol that been under cultivation for at least two years

Growth and Yield Responses of Cucumber (Cucumis sativum L.) to Different Nitrogen Levels of Goat Manure in the Humid Ultisols Environment

A field trial was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria between May and July in both 2015 and 2016 to evaluate growth and yield responses of cucumber (Cucumis sativum L.) to different nitrogen levels of goat manure. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design involving five treatments and replicated three times. The treatments were cured goat manure applied at levels of 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg N ha-1. Growth parameters were collected on vine length (cm), vine girth (cm), number of branches, number of leaves and leaf area index (LAI). Yield parameters assessed were fruit length (cm), fruit girth (cm), number of fruits per plant and fruit yield (t ha-1). Goat manure application significantly (P 0.05) fruit yield, but significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of 0 (12.34 t ha-1) and 10 (16.96 t ha-1) kg N ha-1. It thus recommended that goat manure at 20 kg N ha-1 is more appropriate for cucumber production in the humid ultisols environment

Characterization and Evaluation of some Cultivars of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Field trials were conducted to evaluate seven cultivars (both improved and local races) of sweet pepper in 2006 and 2007 at Evboneka a humid tropical environment in Nigeria to access agronomic characteristics and fruit yield. The study was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven cultivars (Tea 14, California wonder Ps, California Wonder 300, N 22, N 23 and Long yellow sweet) in three replications. Results from the trial showed that the cultivars produced varying vegetative, growth and yield characters. The Tea 14 produced the plants with superior vegetative characters and fruit yields (6.21 t ha-1) and the lowest being Benin local (2.02 t ha-1). There were significant differences among all the genotypes tested. Higher fruit yields was obtained in 2006 with an average value of 3.86 t ha-1 and 3.84 t ha-1 obtained in 2007. The comparatively high yield potential (average yield of 3.85 t ha-1) recorded in the trial is an indication of a promising sweet pepper production in the humid tropical zone

Growth and Yield Performance of Amaranthus cruentus Influenced by Planting Density and Poultry Manure Application

Field trials were conducted in 2007 and 2008 to determine the influence of planting density and poultry manure application on the growth and yield of Amaranthus cruentus (Linnaeus). This study was conducted at the teaching and research farms of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City using two planting densities (111111 and 62500 plants per hectare) and three levels of poultry manure (0.0, 6.0 and 12.0 t ha-1) in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement fitted into randomized complete block design with three replicates. Results showed that planting density and poultry manure significantly (P = 0.05) affected the number of leaves, leaf area index, total dry matter and the crop growth rate positively in favour of increasing planting density and poultry manure application rate leading to higher herbage yield. The results showed that the combination of 62500 plants per hectare and application of poultry manure of 12 t ha-1 provided the highest yield (15.74 t ha-1)

GROWTH AND HERBAGE YIELD OF Celosia argentea AS INFLUENCED BY PLANT DENSITY AND NPK FERTILIZATION IN DEGRADED ULTISOL

The effect of five plant densities (8,0000, 160,000, 250,000, 444,444 and 1,000,000 plants ha-1) and three levels of fertilizer (0, 200 and 400 kg NPK ha-1) on growth and yield of Celosia argentea was evaluated on degraded ultisol at Evboneka, Edo State, Nigeria in 2005 and 2006 cropping seasons. The trial was a 5 x 3 factorial arrangement fitted into a randomized complete block design in three replicates. Results revealed that plant density and fertilizer application affected significantly (P < 0.05) affected the plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, leaf area index and total dry weight leading to higher herbage yield. The plants grown under high plant density and fertilizer application level had higher degree of foliation and total dry weight than plants grown under lower plant density and fertilizer application levels. The greatest yield (13.67 tonnes hectare) was produced from a population of 444,444 plants with 400kg fertilizer rate. The production cost increased from $79.570 –$ 790.18, revenue from $1,008.00 –$ 2,460.60, gross margin from $948.08 –$ 2151.00, net income from $928.43 –$ 2,072.92 and benefit-cost ratio from 1.34 – 14.55 for the various treatment combinations. The best herbage yield was a population of 80,000 plants with 400 kg fertilizer rate based on the fact that it had the greatest benefit-cost ratio (14.55)

COMPARISON OF YIELD PERFORMANCE AND PROFITABILITY OF Dioscorea rotundata UNDER DIFFERENT NPK FERTILIZER REGIME IN HUMID FOREST ULTISOLS

Studies were conducted to determine the appropriate level of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application that will produce the most profitable yield in a humid forest ultisol. This study involved the use of Dioscorea rotundata Poir fertilized with NPK (15:15:15) at rates of 0 (0 kg N + 0 kg P + 0 kg K), 100 (15 kg + 6.79 kg P + 12.45 kg K), 200 (30 kg N + 13.58 kg P + 24.90 kg K), 300 (45 kg N + 20.37 kg P + 37.35 kg K) and 400 kg ha-1 (60 kg N + 27.16 kg P + 49.80kg K) using a randomized complete block design. Results from the trial showed that leaf area index values ranged from 1.24 to 2.88 at 16 weeks after planting (WAP) and 2.20 to 3.10 at 24 WAP respectively for the unfertilized and 400 kg NPK ha-1. The corresponding values for dry matter accumulation were 1.29 to 3.70 t ha-1 and 2.97 to 5.67 t ha-1 at 16 and 24 WAP respectively. These parameters were responsible for higher tuber yield and relative yields for plants fertilized. The greatest yield (19.16 tonnes hectare) was produced from plots treated with 300kg ha‑1 fertilizer. The production cost increased from  N 390440.00 - N 417920.00, revenue from N 1036000 - N 1155000.00, gross margin from N 680000.00 - N 773200.00, net income from N 645560.00 - N 732080.00 and benefit-cost ratio from 1.65 - 3.73 as fertilizer application rate increased from zero to 400 t/ha. The optimum fertilizer application rate was 200kg ha-1 based on the fact that it had the greatest gross margin (N 1547600.00), net income (N 1507720.00) and benefit-cost ratio (3.73)