Effects of Mineral and Organo-mineral Fertilization on Sweet Potato (Ipomea batata {L} Lam) in Makurdi, Benue State, Southern Guinea Savanna Nigeria

Olalekan Olatunji ,S K Adeyongu

doi:10.7176/jbah/11-12-02

Abstract

A Research was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the University of Agriculture Makurdi Benue State located between 7 0 45’N and 8 0 37’E during 2019 cropping season to evaluate the effect of mineral and Organo-mineral fertilization on growth and yield of sweet potato ( Ipomea batata {L} Lam). The fertilizer sources used as treatments were: NPK20:10:10 (100, 200 and 300 kg/ha), Poultry manure (2, 5 and 8t/ha), Fertiplus (2, 5 and 8t/ha) and control. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Vines of sweet potato was sourced from National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike, cut into 25 cm long and planted at a spacing of 0.3 m (100 cm x 30 cm) inter-row and intra-row respectively which gave a plant population of 33,333 plants per hectare. The growth parameters of sweet potato were significantly increased (vine length, plant girth, number of leaves, leaf width) over the control. The longest vine length (153.30 cm) at 12 WAP was obtained from poultry NPK 300 kg/ha and the least from the control (11.80 cm) at 4 WAP. The longest leaf length (12.27 cm) was obtained from Fertiplus 8t/ha at 12 WAP and the least (6.00 cm) from the control at 4 WAP. The broadest leaf width (10.80 cm) was obtained from poultry 8t/ha at 6 WAP and the least (5.27 cm) from the control at WAP. The highest yield (48.67) in terms of number of marketable roots was obtained from poultry 5t/ha and the least (18.67) from the control. The highest weight of marketable root 18.70 t/ha was obtained from poultry manure 5t/ha and the least 2.97 t/ha from the control. Application of 5t/ha of poultry manure is recommended for soil fertility improvement and root yield of sweet potato in the study area. Keywords: Organo-mineral, Fertilization, Sweet Potato, Southern Guinea Savanna DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-12-02 Publication date: June 30 th 2021

Highlights

As population increases geometrically with the current world population of over 7.5billion as at April, 2019 (UN population 2019), there must be substantial increase in food production in order to provide adequate nutrition for the 8.5 billion people projected by the year 2030 (UN population, 2019).Soil nutrient depletion is one of the most serious problems currently affecting agricultural productivity in developing countries of the world, including Nigeria
For leaf width (Table 3), the result showed significant difference for all the treatments, Poultry manure at 8 t/ha (10.53 cm) and 5 t/ha (10.40 cm) gave the highest means followed by NPK at 300 kg/ha (10.33 cm) and least by the control (8.80 cm)
The response of Sweet potato to these sources of fertilization supports the work of Singh and Raghar, (2000); Djilani and Senoussi (2013) that fertilizers either organic or inorganic increased vine length with increased level of fertilization

Summary

Introduction

As population increases geometrically with the current world population of over 7.5billion as at April, 2019 (UN population 2019), there must be substantial increase in food production in order to provide adequate nutrition for the 8.5 billion people projected by the year 2030 (UN population, 2019).Soil nutrient depletion is one of the most serious problems currently affecting agricultural productivity in developing countries of the world, including Nigeria. There is need for adequate fertilization or manuring in order to sustain soil productivity for optimum growth and yield of planted crops to ensure food security for the ever increasing population. Sweet potato yield in Nigeria is still low due to declining soil fertility and mismanagement of plant nutrients, which necessitated the needs for fertilizer application.

Results

Conclusion