Comparative effects of different organic manure on agronomic performances of Corchorus olitorus in rainforest agroecological zone of South Western Nigeria

"Low  soil  fertility  is  one  of  the  main  factors  for  the  low  productivity  of  vegetables  in  Nigeria.  The  effect  of different  organic  manures  on  the  agronomic  performance  of Corchorus  olitorus  was  carried  out  in  a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) at the Teaching, Commercial and Research Farms of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic,  Owo,  Ondo  State.  Four  treatments  namely:  poultry  manure  (PM) 50kg/20m2,  pig dung  (PD) 50kg/20m2, cow dung (CD) 50kg/20m2and control (with no manure) were evaluated and replicated 4 times. Results shows that plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, and leave area index at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after planting  (WAP)  and  yield  were  significantly  influence  by  the  application  of  organic  manures  compared  to control.  C. olitorus  responded to the manure application in the following order; PM, PD, CD and plot with no manure  amendment  (control).  The  higher  major  nutrients  constituents  in  PM  and  PD  has  influence  on  the growth  and  yield  of  C.  olitorus.  Therefore,  the  cultivation  of  C.  olitorus  in  South  West  Nigeria  could  be  a profitable enterprise as against popular belief if emphasis is placed on the use of fertilizers from organic sources."

 Full Article At IJAAR January 2013

Publisher: International Network for Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)