Abstract
A field experiment was conducted to investigate the comparative effects of organic and inorganic soil amendments on growth and performance of plantain (Musa paradisiaca). The experiment was established in March 2011 and repeated in February 2012. The treatments consisted of nine soil amendments (NPK sole, Jatropha sole, palm kernel cake (PKC) residue sole, Sunshine organo-mineral sole, NPK + Jatropha husk 50:50, Sunshine organo-mineral + Jatropha husk 50:50, PKC residue + NPK 50:50, PKC residue + Sunshine organo-mineral 50:50, and Control) experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design, and replicated thrice. No significant (P < 0.05) difference obtained in the two trials, nevertheless, NPK 15:15:15 produced the highest response to leaf area, leaf numbers and stem girth. Sunshine organo-mineral also showed higher response in stem girth, while the combination of decayed Jatropha husk and NPK fertilizer applied at the ratio of 50:50 had the highest plant height. To facilitate the scaling up of these fertility options, future research and development needs to address recommended application rates, impacts and the method by which crops can be intensively farmed to provide a natural progression out of poverty. Sustaining the findings of this research will enhance good soil management quality, increase farmers productivity as well as improves farmer’s standard of living. Key words: Fertilizers, growth parameters, organo-mineral, plantain and soil amendments.
Highlights
Plantain is a major food in Equatorial Africa and Andean regions (USDA, 2009)
There was a significant effect on the growth parameter in the soil amendments used at P≤0.05 (Tables 2 to 5)
There was significant difference between the ‘numbers of leaves’ as a growth parameter considered on plants and the source of fertilizers used
Summary
Plantain is a major food in Equatorial Africa and Andean regions (USDA, 2009). The attractiveness as food is that they fruit all year round; making plantain all reliable more season stable food. Plantain is grown as a rain fed crop in Nigeria. Its production is limited as it is committed mostly in the hands of subsistence farmers, who cultivate plantain to protect or shield other crops such as cocoa (Theobroma cacao) at the early stage of their vegetative growth to prevent cacao from wilting due to low soil moisture experienced in the dry season. Plantain production in Nigeria has been estimated to be 1,855,000 metric tonnes and they are produced in large quantities in.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
