- Simon Chinekenwa Aba1*, Kayode Paul Baiyeri1,2
- Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
- Visiting scientist to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, P.M.B 5320, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
In the current global climate change scenario, there are predictions of drought and water shortages. This study evaluated varying fertilizer treatments (organic – 20 t.ha-1 of composted poultry manure, inorganic – 400 kg N +600 kg K2O + 100 kg P2O5 per hectare, and
the complementary doses thereof, and a no- fertilizer control) alongside three irrigation intervals (every 3 days, 6 days or 9 days) on growth and biomass yield of micro propagated‘PITA 24’ plantain. Results showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in growth and dry matter yield (DMY), and the distribution pattern following the irrigation and fertilizer treatments. Plant performances (height,girth, biomass yield, and leaf canopy indices) were superior and sometimes similar in plants that received organic fertilizer or the combined doses of organic/inorganic fertilizers. Similarly, plants that received water every 3 days had the best growth and DMY, followed by those of the 6 days interval. Growth lag and leaf losses were obvious in plants watered every 6 or 9 days interval. The worst hit by the transient moisture stress were the control plants and those plants grown with mineral fertilizers alone. DMY was significantly high in plants that received organic fertilizer alone, followed closely by plants that had the complementary fertilizer doses.
These plants allotted greater proportion of the DMY to the aerial components, whereas the control plants accumulated more underground components. Results from the study suggest that transient moisture stress in plantains could be managed with judicious use of manure or complementary application with mineral fertilizers.
