Abstract
PurposeRapid nutrient depletion in soils is one of the major problems that affect food production and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. Studies have linked the growth of food crops with seasonal variation and differences in weather conditions. This study was conducted to assess the effects of various organic fertilizer formulations (OFFs) on the growth and yield of selected crops (Zea mays L.; Glycine max, TX 114 and Dioscorea rotundata Poir) during rainy and dry seasons to ensuring climate-smart agriculture.MethodsThe OFFs used were plant-based (PB), animal-based (AB), rock-based (RB), organic mixture (OM-mixture of PB, AB and RB), synthetic/chemical (SC) while ordinary compost without fortification served as control. Effects of OFFs on growth parameters (number of leaves, plant height, stem girth, leaf area, and crop yield) of maize, yam and soybeans were assessed in plot experiments across the two seasons.ResultsThe RB gave highest growth performances in maize and soybean plots at both seasons when applied at 2.5 t ha−1. It also improved yam growth when applied at 2.5 t ha−1 (rainy season) and 3.0 t ha−1 (dry season) more than any other fertilizer. The largest yield of maize in the dry season was obtained from plots with PB at 2.0 t ha−1. The AB at 2.0 t ha−1 gave the largest soybean yield in the rainy season.ConclusionsOrganic fertilizers enriched especially with rock-based and plant-based materials have the potential to ameliorate the threat of climate change and seasonal variation to food security.
Highlights
The importance of agriculture to Nigeria’s economy is currently at the center stage of national attention as farming is the main source of livelihood for over 70% of households in the country
Effect of seasonal variation on agronomic parameters of the test crops Of all organic fertilizer formulations (OFFs) tested on the three crops, RB showed the highest effect during both seasons on all the crops
There were more growths in all the maize and yam parameters in the rainy season than those in the dry season. This could probably be due to the fact that organic fertilizer depends on soil microbes, which are living organisms for bio-mineralization, growth conditions, cultural practices, soil characteristics (Below 2001), and seasonal variation and changes in weather conditions should predict the performance of microbes and the level of bio-mineralization of organic fertilizer
Summary
The importance of agriculture to Nigeria’s economy is currently at the center stage of national attention as farming is the main source of livelihood for over 70% of households in the country. In 2008, agriculture contributed 42% of the country’s GDP (FMARD 2010), which was significantly higher than the 18% derived from petroleum and natural gas production. The country’s promising agricultural potential has not been realized and low fertilizer use is a major factor contributing to the stagnant agricultural productivity in Nigeria (FMARD 2010). An “organic fertilizer” refers to fertilizer derived from non-synthetic organic materials, including plant and animal by-products, rock powders, seaweed, inoculants, sewage sludge, animal manures, and plant residues (Benton and Jones 2012) produced through the process of drying, cooking, composting (Dadi et al 2019), chopping, grinding, fermenting (Mario et al 2019) or other methods (Thanaporn and Nuntavun 2019). Increased understanding and use of fertilizers were important parts of the pre-industrial British Agricultural Revolution and the industrial green revolution of the 20th century
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