Comparative effects of sole and combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer on soil quality and rubber seedling performance at Edo State Iyanomo, Nigeria

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Edo state Iyanomo during the 2014 wet season to determine the comparative effects of sole and combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer on soil, and Rubber seedling performance and the experiment consisted of six treatments. The treatments were laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The materials used were one strain of mycorrhizal (GC) applied at the rate of 5000kg/ha, NPK 15:15:15 at the rate of 112 kg/ha and poultry manure was also applied at the rate of 6000 kg/ha. Plant data; height, girth, leaf area and number of leaves were collected at monthly interval for seven (7) months. Soil samplings were obtained before, three months and seven months after application of soil treatment from 0-15cm depth and were subjected to laboratory analysis (chemical analysis). All data sets were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Genstat (2008) statistical package. The significant means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of probability. Also the plant analysis was carried out at the end of the trial to determine the nutrient content which was used to calculate the nutrient uptake. The result show general increase in the chemical properties after application of treatments in organic matter, nitrogen, pH, calcium, potassium, Available phosphorus, ECEC and base saturation with values 6.74, 0.49, 6.53, 4.50, 1.50, 8.62, 10.68 and 99.85 respectively. Higher growth in plant height, (140.3, 133.0 cm) girth, (11.9, 10.5, respectively, were obtained after seven months of planting in the cropping seasons. The result of the nutrient uptake obtained showed that at 7 months after application of treatment. There was a general increase in the chemical properties of the soil through the addition of the different soil amendments (organic and inorganic fertilizer).