Abstract
Utilization of adequate fertilizer rate enhances soil physical and chemical properties, minimizes soil nutrient imbalance, and promotes better crop growth and development. The study investigated the influence of varying rates of chicken manure and NPK fertilizers as it affected growth, nutrient uptake, seed yield, and oil yield of sunflower on nutrient-limiting soil. Field experiments were carried out during 2014 and 2015 planting seasons for both main and residual studies. There were eight treatments comprising four rates of chicken manure (5, 10, 15, and 20 t·ha−1), three rates of NPK (30, 60, and 90 kg·N·ha−1), and control. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Growth, yield, dry matter and proximate, nutrient uptake concentration, and oil content were determined following standard procedures. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, and means were compared with the Duncan multiple range test (DMRT) atp≤0.05. Performance of sunflower was superior on the field fertilized with 10 t·ha−1chicken manure which was comparable to 90 kg·N·ha−1NPK fertilizer. Sunflower seed yield and oil quality were superior in plots supplied with 10 t·ha−1chicken manure which was comparable to 60 kg·N·ha−1NPK. Growth, yield, dry matter, and proximate content were least in the unfertilized plots.
Highlights
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is the fourth most important oil seed crop cultivated for the high concentration (900 g·kg−1) of unsaturated fatty acids in its oil [1]. e head or the floral part which confers the aesthetic attribute varies in size and colour changes from cream to yellow among different cultivars [2]. e crop was introduced from North America into Nigeria shortly after the independence [3]
Physiochemical Properties of the Soil and Chicken Manure Used for the Study. e soil used for the study was slightly acidic (6.8) and low in nitrogen but high in phosphorus and potassium compared to the constituents of chicken manure (Table 1)
Tallest plants (130.3 cm) were observed in plots treated with 10 t·ha−1 chicken manure, but this was not significantly different from plots treated with 60 kg·N·ha−1
Summary
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is the fourth most important oil seed crop cultivated for the high concentration (900 g·kg−1) of unsaturated fatty acids in its oil [1]. e head or the floral part which confers the aesthetic attribute varies in size and colour changes from cream to yellow among different cultivars [2]. e crop was introduced from North America into Nigeria shortly after the independence [3]. Some reports have shown that more than one t·ha−1 seed yield was recorded in some farms [7] It performs well in both the rainforest and savanna agroecologies especially when grown under adequate fertilizer application [8]. Arable lands in most part of Nigeria are inherently low in nutrient as a result of constant usage without adequate soil fertility management strategies leading to poor growth and reduction in crop yield. Erefore, the effect of different rates of chicken manure and NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer on growth, nutrient uptake, seed yield, and oil yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) on soil with marginal nutrients was investigated. Weed removal from the plots was done manually with hoe at three week intervals, while insect pests were managed by spraying lambda cyhalothrin 2.5% EC a.i./ha at the rate of 30 ml/15 liters water with 15 L knapsack sprayer
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