Abstract
A field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farms of Landmark University Omu-Aran, Kwara State of Nigeria, for comparative evaluation of inorganic fertilizer with sole and integrated forms of cocoa pod ash (CPA) and cocoa pod husk powder (CPHP) on soil chemical properties, growth and yield of cucumber in Southern Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria. The treatments used for the experiment were control, NPK 20:10:10 (200 kg/ha), 100 % CPA (10 t/ha), 100 % CPHP (10 t/ha), 100 % CPA (10 t/ha) + 100 % CPHP (10 t/ha), 100 % CPA (10 t/ha) + 50 % CPHP (5 t/ha), 50 % CPA + 100% CPHP, and 50 % CPA + 50 % CPHP. At two weeks after planting NPK 20:10:10 was applied to the assigned plots at the rate of 200 kg/ha. Treatments were arranged in Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated three times. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS procedure while DMRT at 5% level of probability was used to separate the means. Results showed that treatment with 10 t/ha CPA + 10 t/ha CPHP increased soil chemical properties compared to control. Treatments with 100% CPA + 100% CPHP and 100% CPA + 50% CPHP gave significantly higher and similar values of plant height, number of leaves, number of lateral branches and other yield parameters (fruit number, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight and total yield) of cucumber compared to the control. Therefore, the application of 10 t/ha CPA + 5 t/ha CPHP was considered best for growing cucumber in the study area. These cocoa wastes are readily available and eco-friendly compared to NPK that is costly and which may have adverse effect on the environment. Keywords: cocoa pod ash, cocoa pod husk powder, cucumber, soil chemical properties, growth and yield
Highlights
The aim of a farmer is to improve crop production at minimum cost in order to maximize profit but his major problem is how to maintain soil fertility (Ogbonna, 2008)
The results indicated that the soil used for the experiment was acidic and low in organic matter, total N, available P and exchangeable K, Ca and Mg which is unable to sustain crop yield without the addition of external input in this agro ecological zone for cropping according to the critical levels of 3.0% organic matter, 0.20% N, 10.0 mg/kg available P, 0.16-0.20 cmol/kg exchangeable K, 2.0 cmol/kg Ca and 0.40 cmol/kg exchangeable Mg recommended for crop production in ecological zones of Nigeria Akinrinde and Obigbesan, 2000)
It was found that cocoa pod ash is high in K, Ca and Mg but low in N and P while cocoa pod husk powder is high in N and C/N ratio that could be decomposed, mineralized and release into the soil for crop use (Table 2)
Summary
The aim of a farmer is to improve crop production at minimum cost in order to maximize profit but his major problem is how to maintain soil fertility (Ogbonna, 2008). The fertility of the soil has not been able to sustained optimum crop production that can feed the teaming population as a result of their demerits which can be attributed to is slow release of nutrient in organic fertilizers and faster release of nutrients by inorganic fertilizers, which are often lost rapidly by leaching, high cost and their continuous application acidifies soil (Idem et al, 2012). There is need to source for locally available organic materials that are cheap, environmentally feasible and their complementary effect can give optimum crop productivity and soil fertility maintenance. Ash derived from cocoa pod husk has been found as useful source of both macro and micro nutrients for various crops in Nigeria (Ajayi et al, 2007; Akanbi et al, 2014).
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