Abstract
The experiment was conducted at the teaching and research farm of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (10°22' N and 9°47' E), to study the effects of poultry manure based compost, NPK fertilizer and spacing on the growth and yield of sorghum. The treatments consisted of Poultry manure based compost (0, 1 and 2 t/ha), NPK fertilizer (0, 30 and 60 kg/ha) and two spacings (25 cm x 75 cm and 30 cm x 75 cm). Factorially combined given 18 treatments combination, laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Data collected was analysed using ANOVA and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was adopted to separate significantly different treatments means. The result of the experiment revealed that, application of 60 kg NPK and 2 t/ha poultry manure based compost proved to be significantly (P=0.05) better in promoting growth and yield of sorghum than all other rates and all the rates were better than the control. Considering spacing however, growing sorghum spaced at 30 cm x 75 cm gave significantly (P=0.05) higher growth and yield than 25 cm x 75 cm. Study on interaction revealed that, combine application of 60 kg NPK/ha and 2 t/ha poultry manure based compost gave significantly (P=0.05) higher growth and yield of sorghum. Based on this result, combine application of NPK fertilizer and poultry manure based compost to sorghum spaced at 30 x 75 cm will address the issue of soil fertility in the study area.
Highlights
In sub-Saharan Africa, crop yields are limited by many factors, one of which is nutrient deficiencies
This study was carried out to determine the effects of poultry manure based compost, its combination with NPK fertilizer and spacing on the growth and yield of sorghum
Poultry manure based compost was obtained from Bauchi state Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP) while NPK fertilizer and Sorghum were obtained from Bauchi state Agricultural Supply Company (BASAC)
Summary
In sub-Saharan Africa, crop yields are limited by many factors, one of which is nutrient deficiencies. The ever increasing population of many countries of the world has necessitated the development of intensive agricultural technologies to sustain food production and yield. Addition of organic materials of various origins to soil has been one of the most common practices to improve soil physical properties and the use of compost on crops have been reported to improve crop yield and quality and play a key role in the maintenance of soil productivity [6]. There has been an increasing environmental concern about damage caused by agricultural activities worldwide, as a result of using agrochemicals [10] This call for a search of alternative cropping system and organic agriculture has been established as a safer system in many countries and this has necessitated the use of inorganic fertilizers especially in compost forms. This study was carried out to determine the effects of poultry manure based compost, its combination with NPK fertilizer and spacing on the growth and yield of sorghum
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
