Title: STRATEGIZING TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURAL FERTILIZATION SYSTEM USING LOCAL MATERIALS IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA
Abstract:Organic fertilizers were produced using legumes, poultry manure, rice husk and swine dung; and its potentials incrop production evaluated at Umudike, Nigeria. Three plots of six leguminous species wer...Organic fertilizers were produced using legumes, poultry manure, rice husk and swine dung; and its potentials incrop production evaluated at Umudike, Nigeria. Three plots of six leguminous species were established togenerate vegetal matter for the fertilizer production. Soil samples were collected from the plots at 0-30cm augerdepth and analyzed. The plots were cleared manually, ploughed and harrowed with a tractor mounted discplough. Each plot was divided into 3 blocks and the legumes raised by direct seeding at 40cm x 40cm in arandomized complete block design in three replications. The vegetal matters were harvested at 50% floweringand the yield-per-specie determined. Samples of legumes matter, rice husk, poultry manure and swine dung wereanalyzed for mineral composition. Each legume matter with rice husk, poultry droppings and swine dung in theratio 5:4:4:4 were mixed and heaped for composting in a Randomized Complete Block Design with threereplicates. Heaps were turned every 2 months for six (6) months. Manufactured fertilizer samples were analyzedfor mineral composition. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS 17 at p<0.05. Resultsshow that poultry manure, rice husk and swine dung varied in nutrient composition. Poultry manure had highestN (25.20%) and K (24.50 %) content; rice husk contains highest organic matter (306%) and organic carbon.Vegetal matter yield and the nutrient composition of legumes varied significantly. Consequently, thecompounded composts varied in nutrient composition. L. purpureus compost had highest N (33.60g/kg), whileC. mucunoides had highest K (8g/kg), organic C (347.70g/kg) and organic matter (590.90g/kg). The organicfertilizers were generally rich in nutrients, with potentials for enhancing crop production system.Read More
Publication Year: 2020
Publication Date: 2020-12-31
Language: en
Type: article
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