A. O. Togun

Comparative Effectiveness of Organic-Based Fertilizer To Mineral Fertilizer on Tomato Growth and Fruit Yield

The effect of three different organic based fertilizers (OBF) was compared to conventional chemical fertilizer on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). The OBF is composted plant material fortified with poultry manure. The compost used was made from Maize (MP), guinea grass (GP) and cowpea (CP) stovers in combination with poultry manure in ratio 3:1 by weight. Two rates of each compost type (4t/ha, and 2t/ha + 30kgN/ha), the recommended rate of mineral fertilizer (i.e. 60kg N/ha) and nonfertilizer control plants constituted the treatments. Chemical analysis of the matured composts showed that CP compost produced the highest N while MP compost gave the best P, K, Ca and Mg. Compost type significantly influenced growth and yield characteristics with MP compost either at 4t/ha or 2t/ha + 30kgNha consistently producing the best results with significantly higher marketable fruit yield than the nonfertilized plants. The OBF was highly effective on crop performance and was favorably comparable with the chemical fertilizer. Irrespective of the compost type, OBF significantly increased dry matter and fresh fruit yield by 29.6% and 36.3% respectively and was well compared with applying 60kgN/ha in form of chemical fertilizer. Hence, the idea of OBF is a worthwhile venture in boosting agricultural production in Nigeria.

Soybean Phosphorus-Use Efficiency in the Moist Savanna of West Africa

ABSTRACT With limited access to P fertilizers, soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) varieties cultivated in the moist savanna zone of West Africa should use P as efficiently as possible. Field trials were conducted on the effect of P application on grain yield per unit P accumulated (physiological efficiency or PPE), amount of P accumulated in plant biomass per unit P applied in fertilizer (recovery efficiency or PRE), and the amount of grain produced per unit of applied P (yield efficiency or PYE) in soybean. There was greater proportional root proliferation at lower P rates, and at sites where soil test P was low. Physiological efficiency was higher under these conditions. Although a greater proportion of total dry weight was accumulated in the roots of the early and medium (27-28%) compared with the late varieties (22-23%), root dry weight and PPE in the latter were higher. At maturity, PPE was significantly reduced from 245 kg kg−1 with no P applied to an average of 173 kg kg−1 (or by about 29%) with P application. Phosphorus yield efficiency was higher at sites (Kasuwan Magani and Gidan Waya) and in the late varieties where response to P was highest. PYE with 60 kg ha−1 P applied rate was almost half the value observed with 30 kg P ha−1.

Organic Carbon Inputs by Soyabean in the West African Moist Savanna

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to assess the carbon returned in soyabean crop residues as a function of soyabean maturity class and P fertilizer. Three levels of P were applied to four soyabean varieties in three replications at four sites. Late varieties gave greater root + litter C input than early and medium varieties, and their responses to P were larger. P application increased root + litter C by 44–49%, and total C, comprising C in soyabean root, litter and stover, by 45–46%. Root + litter C was 60% of total C input by soyabean. While soyabean was not able to maintain soil organic C (SOC) at an annual C input decomposition rate of 70%, the application of P provided 105–107% of the C input required to maintain SOC at 5.1 g kg−1 at C input decomposition rate of 50%. For the low SOC levels of 5.1–8.7 g kg−1 at the sites, it was estimated that total C inputs of 12.2–14.2 Mg ha−1 are required to increase organic C by 1 g kg−1. Depending on decomposition rate, however, total C input by the varieties was 7–22% of total C required to increase organic C by the same amount. Although the late varieties responded positively to P, the total C required to increase organic C by 1 g kg−1 was reduced by only 4–10% with the application of P. Organic C input by soyabean in a cereal-based cropping system remains minimal despite increased soyabean duration and the application of P.

Influence of Climate Change on Cocoyam Production in Aba Agricultural Zone of Abia State, Nigeria

The paper examined the influence of climate change on cocoyam production in Aba agricultural zone of Abia State. Data for the study was collected using a participatory pair-wise ranking technique from Key cocoyam farmers, village chiefs and Agricultural extension agents in a Focused group discussion and in-depth interview. Findings revealed that the major occupation of the people in the area is farming while the major crops grown are yam, cassava and plantain. Cassava ranked first as the major source of both income and food. On the average, size of farm is 0.3 ha while land acquisition is majorly by inheritance and leasing. The major source of labour is family members and hired labored. The cocoyam cultivars grown in the area are Edeocha, Ede Uhie, okpanambe, and Ede ofe. Farmer’s previous harvest and neighbor are the major source of planting material. Major cropping pattern done in the area is mixed cropping while crops planted with cocoyam include Maize, groundnut and vegetables. Farmers aim of producing cocoyam is for consumption and sometimes sales. All farmers agreed that there is a change in the climate of their zone. The major climate variables that is changing and as well affecting cocoyam production in the zone according to the farmers are rainfall, heat (atmospheric temperature) and sunshine (solar radiation) while the major influence of climate change on cocoyam production include decline in yield of cocoyam, reduction of soil fertility, uncertainty in planting and harvesting date, stunted growth of cocoyam, increase in decay of planted corms/cormels and increase loss during storage in the barns. The study then recommends that access to and cost of fertilizer should be enhanced and subsidized by the Government, this will help farmers to have access to fertilizer thereby overcoming the problem of soil fertility reduction. It further recommends that improved storage facility should be put in place to reduce the huge loss encountered during storage.

Nutrient input on rocket growth and soil microbial activity in alley cropping of pigeon pea

The effects of organic fertilization combining cattle manure and pigeon pea shoots on the culture of rocket, planted with one or two plants per hole, including soil microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration, the metabolic quotient, soil fumigation labile carbon, and the dry matter content and total N, K, P, Ca and Mg contents in the leaves and roots of rocket were investigated. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment: 0 and 160 kg ha-1 N from cattle manure, 0 and 160 kg ha-1 N from pigeon pea shoots, and one or two plants per hole, with three replicates. The most significant and positive correlations were obtained between leaf K × soil respiration, microbial biomass × leaf N and root Ca × metabolic quotient. The use of 160 kg ha-1 N from cattle manure along with 160 kg ha-1 N from pigeon pea shoots with two plants per hole resulted in a lower relative loss of C-CO2; the same result was found for the treatment of two plants per hole fertilized with 160 kg ha-1 N from cattle manure. Increased leaf and root N contents were observed in the treatment that combined two plants in each plot, fertilized with 160 kg ha-1 N from pigeon pea shoots, whereas the highest dry matter content was obtained by using one plant per hole, specifically: combining one plant per hole without fertilization; one plant per hole fertilized with 160 kg ha-1 N from pigeon pea shoots; and one plant per hole fertilized with 160 kg ha-1 N from cattle manure and pigeon pea shoots.