Effects of Different Levels of Poultry Manure on Yield and Post Harvest Quality of Celosia Agentea

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan to asses the effect of four levels of poultry manure viz 0, 10, 30, 50 t/ha on yield and post harvest quality of celosia agentea cv. ‘TLV8’. The growth and yield parameters measured were plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, fresh weight and total yield. The post harvest quality was measured under three storage condition i.e. Ambient (25-270C) RH (70-75%), Evaporative coolant structure (20-220C), RH (90-95%) and Refrigerator (4-120C), RH (80-85%). The parameters assessed were freshness, colour change, weight loss and leaf detachment. The results obtained showed that 30t/ha of poultry manure significantly (p < 0.05) increased all the growth and yield parameters measured. This was followed by 50t/ha and then 10t/ha. The post harvest quality of celosia was significantly higher for fruit stored under the refrigerator, which kept well for 12 days, this was followed by ECS which stored for 6 days and 2 days under the ambient respectively. The different level of poultry manure had no significant effects on the post harvest quality of celosia assessed.