This study evaluated the decomposition rates and nutrient dynamics of four abundant plant by-products: corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, rice straw, and pineapple crown as organic amendments for soil improvement and sustainable agriculture. It was conducted in a nursery setting. The decomposition rates were measured at 30 and 60 days via weight loss, while soil nutrient parameters, including pH, total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and organic matter, were analyzed. Significant differences showed in the result of decomposition rates among materials: rice straw and pineapple crown decomposed fastest, followed by corn stover, while sugarcane bagasse decomposed slowest. Soil pH generally decreased, and sugarcane bagasse buffered soil acidity better than other residues. The nitrogen levels decreased significantly over a period of time, indicating microbial immobilization during breakdown. Potassium and phosphorus were relatively stable, with the highest amount derived from sugarcane bagasse. Over time, organic matter retention marginally improved, especially with treatments using sugarcane bagasse and pineapple crown. Significant effects of the type of organic material on soil pH and decomposition were confirmed by ANOVA with some interaction effects over time. Results show that while sugarcane bagasse is beneficial for balancing soil pH and retaining vital nutrients despite slower decomposition, rice straw and pineapple crown are appropriate for rapid nitrogen release to improve soil fertility. As a means to lessen dependency on synthetic fertilizers and support sustainable agriculture in the region, this study offers a better understanding of the best way to determine suitable plant-based organic amendments.

ABSTRACT Reliance on synthetic fertilizers poses serious challenges to sustainable vegetable production in arid regions, where sandy loam soils have low organic matter, nitrogen content, and microbial activity, resulting in weak nutrient cycling. This study evaluated an integrated soil fertility management combining cowdung manure, wheat straw, and cellulose decomposing bacteria to improve soil fertility and cabbage performance over two consecutive growing seasons. A split-split plot experimental design was used to test different application rates of the treatments including a mineral fertilizer control, and bacterial inoculum. Integrated organic and biological amendments increased soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and the availability of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur. Soil microbial populations increased nearly threefold, with the highest values recorded under combined applications of organic and biological amendments. Cabbage quality improved through higher vitamin C content, protein concentration, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity, alongside reduced nitrate accumulation compared with mineral fertilizer application. These results indicate that biologically enhanced organic amendments offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers by improving soil health, nutrient availability, and cabbage quality under arid conditions. Future studies should assess long-term soil biological stability across other high-value vegetable crops to support sustainable intensification in arid regions.

Regenerative agriculture can be deconstructed into several constituent practices, including adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing, improved biodiversity, silvopasture, and minimizing cultivation and synthetic fertilizer inputs. Here, using farms across a rainfall gradient, we examined how three constituents-pasture species composition, antecedent soil organic carbon (SOC) and AMP grazing-influenced SOC accrual, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, production and profitability. Whole-farm stocking rate and rainfall exerted a stronger influence on pasture production, SOC, GHG emissions and profit than pasture diversity or grazing management. Production was more strongly associated with individual pasture species, rather than species diversity per se. Notwithstanding carbon removals through increased SOC stocks, enteric methane remained the dominant source of farm GHG emissions. Low-intensity grazing with short rest periods was generally more profitable, whereas AMP grazing promoted greater pasture growth, SOC accrual and emissions abatement; AMP also performed more favourably when emissions, profit and productivity were considered together. Persistent trade-offs between economic and environmental outcomes indicate that grazing regimes delivering the greatest SOC accrual and GHG mitigation are not necessarily the most profitable, reinforcing the need to rationalize objectives when designing resilient, practical and low-emissions farming systems.

Manure recycling can ameliorate pollution and fertilizer demand, but varying assumptions about recoverable manure nutrients and crop requirements complicate understanding of manure recycling potential. Using nitrogen (N) in the contiguous USA as a case study, we applied methods from six studies to compare manure N balance estimates (recoverable manure minus crop demand). We then developed a framework to assess both current and future potentials of manure recycling. The current balance in the USA is -13.3 ± 1.1 TgN yr-1, reflecting large crop demand currently met with synthetic fertilizer. Improved adoption of current manure management technologies could decrease this deficit by 5%, while future technologies could enable another 21% reduction. However, new manure N application should be reduced by 33-36% to avoid phosphorous (P) overapplication. Improved crop N efficiency could decrease the deficit by 27%. Applying this framework at county level demonstrates variable regional opportunities to improve manure recycling.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of various natural fertilizers on growth and seed yield of wheat plants. Field experiments were conducted during the 2023 cropping season. A split-plot experimental design with three replications was used. The first factor was fertilization, with five treatments (negative control: seedlings receiving no fertilizer (T0), positive control: synthetic chemical fertilizer 20-10-10 + Urea 46% (T1), compost derived from cow dung manure (T2); mycorrhizal inoculum (T3), compost derived from poultry litter (T4)); the second factor was variety, with 02 wheat varieties (IRAD1 and IRAD2). Wheat growth parameters and seed yield were evaluated. The results showed that the growth and seed yield of wheat varied significantly (p<0.05) depending on the fertilizer, overall, no significant differences were observed between wheat varieties for the studied parameters. Plants that received the T2 treatment exhibited significantly (p ˂ 0.05) the highest values of the studied parameters (plant height, foliar production, number of ear/plant, seed yield, and incidence of wheat diseases). The wheat seed yield of T2 plants of IRAD1 variety was 2.66-fold and 1.66-fold higher than that of T0 and T1 plants respectively. T2 organic fertilizer improved the seed yield of IRAD2 variety at 71.17% and 92.29% compared to chemical fertilizer and unfertilized plants respectively. The supply of 500 g of compost derived cow dung manure per hole at sowing time significantly improved wheat seed yield and therefore, can be used as an alternative to replacing the mineral fertilizers usually employed for the cultivation of this cereal crop.

Integrated fertilization using reduced chemical fertilizers and bio-organic fertilizers can maintain soil fertility with lower chemical inputs, yet its systemic effects on disease control, soil microbes, yield, and quality are not fully clear. This study aimed to: (1) evaluate the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Z2 and Trichoderma harzianum T22, alone or combined, on suppressing Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum) and promoting cucumber growth in pot experiments; and (2) assess the field efficacy of reduced chemical fertilizer (75% N) plus microbial bio-organic fertilizer (25% N) for disease control, growth enhancement, and yield and quality improvement. To achieve these objectives, pot experiments were first conducted, followed by field experiments. Pot results indicated that individual and combined inoculants notably decreased the disease index (DI) by 40.48-68.75%, and significantly increased cucumber fresh shoot biomass by 16.86-26.75%, with the combined inoculants exhibiting the greatest effect. Field experiments indicated that the synthetic microbial bio-fertilizer has a greater advantage in promoting cucumber growth and disease suppression compared to a single bacterial bio-organic fertilizer. Specifically, the application of combined bio-fertilizers exhibited the best performance in decreasing cucumber DI by 51.54%, improving cucumber fresh shoot biomass by 12.19%, and enhancing cucumber yield by 21.02%, along with significantly improving fruit vitamin C content by 21.17% and increasing fruit total amino acids by 26.23% compared with the control. Rhizosphere soil analysis revealed that the application of combined bio-fertilizers enriched beneficial bacterial families (JG30-KF-AS9 and Sphingomonadaceae) and fungal genera (Chaetomiaceae and Condenascus) with known biocontrol functions and suppressed the proliferation of Fusarium. Overall, the integrated use of reduced chemical fertilizer combined with synthetic bio-organic fertilizer effectively suppresses cucumber wilt, optimizes microbial community structure, and improves cucumber yield and quality, furnishing a valuable foundation for microbial-assisted sustainable crop production.

Background: Conventional agriculture’s reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides has led to declining soil health in ecologically fragile regions such as the Garo Hills of Meghalaya. To address these concerns, farmers in North Garo Hills have begun shifting from traditional and chemical-based cultivation to organic banana farming. Methods: The study was conducted during 2023-2024 in selected banana-growing villages of North Garo Hills District, Meghalaya. Both primary and secondary data were collected from 50 farmers. The study assessed organic cultivation practices such as the use of vermicompost, cattle manure and farmyard compost. Comparative and statistical analyses were employed to evaluate environmental and economic outcomes. Result: Findings indicate that organic farming yields are approximately 18% lower than those under chemical-based cultivation. However, organic systems reduce input costs by 33%, resulting in a 14.3% higher net income per hectare. Organic practices also improved soil fertility, enhanced biodiversity and strengthened overall farmer livelihoods.

ABSTRACT The carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), launching 2026, will charge EU importers for embedded carbon emissions, aiming to reduce emissions but raising import costs. Shifts in demand following implementation may reduce carbon emissions, but importers will bear the cost of increased prices. This study examines and weighs the economic costs and environmental benefits of the CBAM in a fertilizer sector‐specific policy analysis, testing whether the reduction of imported carbon emissions justifies the cost to EU consumers. To evaluate this trade‐off, EU import demand is modeled and analyzed before and after CBAM credits are included in the import price. Economic costs are evaluated through a welfare analysis calculating the decline in surplus due to reduced imports. Environmental benefits are calculated by determining the decreases in fertilizer demand, valued at the social cost of carbon (SCC) to compare directly with economic costs. The baseline scenario results show that the cost of the CBAM, equal to $4.04 billion, outweighs the benefit, equal to $2.58 billion, by $1.46 billion annually, when using a CBAM credit cost of $73.5 per metric ton CO 2 and a SCC value of $254 per metric ton CO 2 . However, sensitivity analysis reveals that the CBAM benefit outweighs the cost when CBAM credits cost $91.8 per metric ton CO 2 or the SCC is valued at $700 per metric ton CO 2 . This study helps relevant stakeholders, as trade partners examine strategies and EU agribusiness prepares for increasing input prices. In light of new EU agricultural goals aimed at reducing synthetic fertilizers, the CBAM's impact on demand for fertilizer imports could provide an opportunity for organic fertilizers as a substitute given policy support.

Toward a multiomics framework for understanding symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Long-term balanced organic and synthetic nitrogen fertilization can realize sustainable crop production

A series of three Field Experiments was conducted to study the “Effect of foliar applied moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaf extract on growth, development and yield of mungbean (Vigna radiata L. cv. AEM-96)” was carried out at Students' Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Production (FCPD), Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam-Pakistan, during the ''Kharif'' season, 2023 and the same Experiments was repeated during the ''Kharif'' season, 2024. All field Experiment were laid out in four replicated randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a single factor arrangement and seven treatments. The net plot size was 4 m x 3 m (12 m2). The study investigates the such as Experiment-I: evaluated five (MLE concentrations @ 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) along with a control (without MLE) with the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) NPK @ 25: 50: 25 (kg ha⁻¹) applied in all plots. Notably, Experiment-II: assessed the effect of MLE application at different growth stages (10 DAS, 20 DAS, 30 DAS, 40 DAS and 50 DAS), while Experiment-III: examined the integrated use of NPK fertilization combined with multiple foliar sprays of MLE. This study investigates the effects, optimal application levels, treatment-wise statistical relationships, and economic feasibility of moringa leaf extract (MLE) as a sustainable bio-nutrient alternative to synthetic fertilizers for enhancing mungbean growth and yield. The research seeks to enhance sustainable crop production by leveraging the synergistic benefits of synthetic fertilizers and natural plant-based extracts. It also focuses on evaluating treatment-wise responses using correlation and regression, while promoting MLE as an economical bio-nutrient alternative to synthetic fertilizers. Throughout the Experiments, the study aimed to evaluate the measurements included soil Physio-chemical properties, Agronomic traits, Physiological attributes, Meteorological observations, Grain nutrient status, and Economic returns. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistix-8.1 software with the HSD test to compare treatment effects, while the regression and Pearson correlation analysis tested relationships among variables. The results from Experiment-I: evaluated that the Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE) significantly improved mungbean growth, yield and economic returns with MLE @ 100% reduced days to first seed germination DFSG (4.5 days) treatment T7 compared to the control (11 days) treatment T1 and produced the highest seed yield SY (1942.87 kg ha⁻¹), outperforming the control (1386.87 kg ha⁻¹) and (RDF-NPK) treatment T2 alone (1536.75 kg ha⁻¹). Similarly, Regression analysis indicated strong explanatory power (R² = 0.857; Adjusted R² = 0.807), while Correlation coefficients (: r = 0.993–0.998***) confirmed strong positive associations among yield-related traits, achieving the highest benefit–cost–ratio (BCR = 3.955). In Experiment-II, MLE application at 10 DAS treatment (T₃) resulted in the maximum seed yield SY (2042.75 kg ha⁻¹), plant height PH (83.91 cm), and grain protein content PC (23.95%), supported by a highly significant model (R² = 0.8843; F = 26.77; p < 0.00000001) and strong correlations with pods plant⁻¹ PPP (: r = 0.9985***) and net assimilation rate (NAR, g m-² day-1: r = 0.9993***), with the highest benefit–cost–ratio (BCR = 4.035). Notably, the results of Experiment-III, combined application of NPK + four foliar sprays of MLE treatment (T₆) produced the highest seed yield SY (1935 kg ha⁻¹), plant height PH (83.33 cm), days to first seed germination DFSG (5.25 days), strong Regression fit (R² = 0.8413; p < 0.0001), and maximum economic return (BCR = 3.94). Overall, MLE, particularly at 100% concentration (200 L ha⁻¹), proved an effective bio-stimulant enhancing mungbean productivity, quality, and profitability while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

ABSTRACT Composting toilets offer a sustainable alternative to conventional human waste management by recovering nutrients, reducing pollution, and expanding access to sanitation. Systems such as those developed by Clivus Multrum are a promising pathway for nutrient recovery and closing the human waste stream loop. However, U.S. regulations restrict the application of human waste-derived fertilizers, limiting scientific evaluation of their utility as a sustainable nutrient source. This study provides one of the first assessments of Clivus Multrum leachate as a liquid fertilizer. Objectives were to: (1) characterize leachate chemical and metabolic properties; (2) determine its capacity to support E. coli survival; (3) assess effects on plant growth and root microbiomes in tomato and hemp; and (4) measure forage quality and productivity following field-scale application. Results indicate leachate is suitable for use as a fertilizer as samples contained moderate levels of plant-available nutrients, had near-neutral pH, and did not support E. coli survival. In greenhouse trials, leachate performed comparably to vermicompost and synthetic fertilizers when applied to tomato and hemp plants. No nontarget impacts on root microbiomes were detected, and field applications increased hay yield and potassium content without compromising forage quality. These findings demonstrate Clivus leachate’s potential as an alternative to conventional fertilizers.

Sustainable nutrient management is essential to reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers and improve soil health in leafy vegetable production. Maggot-based organic fertilizer derived from Black Soldier Fly residues and banana corm liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) represent promising circular bioeconomy inputs; however, evidence on their comparative and combined effects on green mustard (Brassica juncea L.) remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different rates of maggot fertilizer and concentrations of banana corm LOF on vegetative growth and yield components of green mustard. A factorial randomized block design was employed with maggot fertilizer rates (0, 100, 150, and 200 g polybag⁻¹) and LOF concentrations (40, 60, and 80 mL L⁻¹). Growth parameters (plant height, leaf number, leaf width) and yield components (fresh and edible weight) were analyzed using ANOVA followed by LSD (5%). Maggot fertilizer significantly increased plant height, leaf width, fresh weight, and edible yield, with optimal performance at 150–200 g polybag⁻¹. Banana corm LOF significantly increased leaf number but had limited effects on biomass. No significant interaction effects were observed. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of maggot fertilizer as a sustainable basal nutrient source and support its integration into organic and low-input vegetable production systems.

The use of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) derived from JAKABA (Jamur Keberuntungan Abadi) has gained attention as an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers in leafy vegetable production. This study evaluated the effects of different LOF concentrations on the growth and biomass of kailan. The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with six treatments, including a control, four LOF concentrations (20, 40, 60, and 80 mL L⁻¹), and a mineral fertilizer control, with three replications. Growth parameters observed included plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh plant weight, fresh shoot weight, and fresh root weight. The results showed that LOF application influenced vegetative growth and biomass accumulation, with moderate concentrations (20-40 mL L⁻¹) generally producing more favorable responses compared to the control. Higher concentrations did not consistently enhance growth, indicating a non-linear dose–response relationship. Overall, JAKABA-derived LOF demonstrated potential as a sustainable nutrient input for kailan cultivation under the experimental conditions. Further studies are recommended to explore wider dose ranges, longer cultivation periods, and different soil types to refine application guidelines for practical use.

In the face of global challenges such as food insecurity, environmental degradation, and climate change, biological nitrogen fixation by rhizobia has become increasingly crucial for supporting sustainable agriculture and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. Paraburkholderia phymatum STM815T is a beta-proteobacterial rhizobium notable for its exceptionally broad host range, forming nitrogen-fixing symbioses with over 50 legume species. In this study, we identified pelB on the P. phymatum STM815T symbiotic plasmid, which codes for a pectate lyase, whose expression is activated by the presence of pectin in the medium and during symbiosis with common bean. In the absence of pelB, P. phymatum STM815T shows improved symbiotic performance with common bean. Plants infected with the pelB mutant developed fewer but larger nodules and exhibited a 43% increase in nitrogenase activity, suggesting that pelB in P. phymatum STM815T may negatively affect nodulation efficiency and nitrogen fixation in common bean.

Biological nitrogen fixation is the process by which certain bacteria and archaea use the enzyme nitrogenase to reduce atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable ammonium. Engineering non-nitrogen-fixing organisms, like plants, to use nitrogenase could reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizer and mitigate the environmental impacts of industrial fertilizer production. However, nitrogenase activity requires delivery of reducing power by small electron carrying proteins known as ferredoxins and flavodoxins, and successfully engineering nitrogenase into new systems will require a mechanistic understanding of electron delivery by these proteins. Most organisms often have multiple ferredoxins, raising the question of which ferredoxin can support nitrogenase activity. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into how we can predict which ferredoxin is compatible with the Fe protein, the component of nitrogenase that interacts with ferredoxin or flavodoxin. Our in silico protein-protein docking simulations reveal that most ferredoxins and flavodoxins involved in nitrogen fixation have the shortest distance (≤10 Å) between their redox cofactor and the [4Fe-4S] cluster of the Fe protein. We found shorter cofactor distance contributes to faster intermolecular electron tunneling rates. Bacterial ferredoxins that play a role in nitrogen fixation also exhibit more complementary interactions with the Fe protein than bacterial and plant ferredoxins not involved in this process. Heterologous expression of a set of ferredoxins from both nitrogen-fixing and non-nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the diazotroph Rhodopseudomonas palustris supports our model-derived prediction that shorter distances between the electron-carrying cofactors favor nitrogenase compatibility. These findings offer a framework to predict and potentially enhance ferredoxin-nitrogenase compatibility, which will help to improve our ability to engineer nitrogen fixation into non-nitrogen-fixing organisms like plants.

To feed the world's anticipated 9.8 billion people by 2050, input-intensive agriculture must give way to more robust, sustainable production methods. Overuse of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers has damaged soils, decreased biodiversity and interfered with the world cycles of nutrients, especially phosphorus. Plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere, which are mostly mediated by root exudates, are a potent and underutilized method for enhancing crop performance and nutrient uptake in an eco-friendly way. The complex mixture of sugars, amino acids, organic acids, secondary metabolites, enzymes and signalling molecules found in root exudates shapes rhizosphere microbial communities and controls plant-soil feedbacks. Exudation patterns in wheat, a significant worldwide staple crop, are extremely dynamic and impacted by environmental factors, developmental stage and genotype. In phosphorus-deficient environments, wheat roots change the structure and makeup of their exudate releasing more organic acids, phosphatases and signalling molecules that mobilize insoluble soil phosphorus and attract mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial phosphate-solubilizing bacteria. These interactions lessen reliance on chemical fertilizers while increasing phosphorus bioavailability, nutrient utilization efficiency and stress tolerance. Deeper understanding of the regulatory processes controlling root exudation is being made possible by recent developments in multi-omics, molecular biology and rhizosphere ecology. Utilizing these subterranean chemical conversations presents a great deal of promise for creating microbiome-based methods to enhance global food security and sustainable wheat production.

Despite there being enough knowledge and farming resources in Busia County, to be able to efficiently produce the staple food of the County, maize productivity in the County is well below its potential level. This study analysed the yield levels of maize production among small scale farmers in Busia County with regard to selected farm inputs. It adopted a causal research design on a sample of 399 small scale maize farmers, and used regression analysis on cross sectional data collected in 2014 to determine the level of efficiency of inputs among the small-scale maize farmers. It was found at α = 5%, level that: Synthetic fertilizer bore a positive but not statistically significant relationship to yields of maize (β = 0.079305463); hired labour hours and maize yields were negatively (β = -0.0014898) and significantly related (p=0.027); use of certified seeds is positively (β = 0.2027262) and significantly related to yield (p< 0.001); mechanization was positively (β = 0.0184989); and significantly (p<0.001) related to yield. This meant that while the increased use of the other inputs raised the maize yields, more hired labour reduced maize production in Busia County.

Silicon has long been recognized as a beneficial element in plant biology. Recent advances in nanosilicon technology have revealed its transformative potential in legume-rhizobia symbiosis. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how silicon and SiO2 nanoparticles (Si-NPs) influence nodulation, microbial metabolism, and soil-plant interactions. We highlight emerging evidence that Si-NPs enhance symbiotic signaling, strengthen infection pathways, and mitigate oxidative stress, thereby supporting nitrogen fixation efficiency. Beyond the rhizosphere, nanosilicon improves soil structure, microbial diversity, and plant resilience under abiotic stress, offering a multifaceted approach to sustainable agriculture. The novelty of this review lies in its integrative perspective, connecting molecular mechanisms with ecological impacts and climate-smart applications. By examining Si-NPs across three domains-soils, rhizosphere metabolites, and plants-we provide a framework for understanding their role in enhancing productivity while reducing environmental costs. Importantly, we identify critical research gaps, including the need for standardized application protocols, large-scale field validation, sustainable nanosilicon production, and robust regulatory frameworks. These insights position nanosilicon as a promising tool for advancing legume productivity, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and contributing to global food security. This review underscores silicon's potential not only as a plant nutrient but also as a strategic agent in climate-resilient agriculture.

Amaranthus cruentus is an important crop for subsistence farmers and a nutritious green vegetable in South Western Nigeria. The maximum growth and organic production of this vegetable to supply protein and minerals for people is necessary to enhance food security. Pot experiments were conducted in the experimental garden of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Ekiti State University Ado Ekiti, Nigeria to investigate the effects of organic manures on the growth of A. cruentus. The experiments were laid down in Completely Randomised Design (CRD). The treatments were Poultry manure (PM), Cowdung (CD) and Goat manure (GM) applied at 50g, 100g, 150g and 200g concentrations per 8kg of soil with four replicates. Application of organic manures irrespective of the quantity applied seemed to have no significant effect on the plant height of Amaranthus cruentus. However, the highest mean number of leaves per plant was recorded in soil treated with 100g of GM (69.38), followed by 50g of GM (62.75) which was similar to that of 200g of PM (62.50). Soil with 50g Poultry manure produced the widest leaf area (66.45cm2) followed by 50g of GM (58.29cm2). Meanwhile, 200g of PM treated plants has the highest stem girth (1.08cm) and 0.64 Relative Growth Rate (RGR) respectively. Goat manure treated plants at 50g concentration produced the highest dry root and shoot weights with 2.46g and 6.03g respectively. Statistical analysis (P≤ 0.05) showed that significant differences were observed in all the parameters studied compared to the control except the plant heights. The three organic manures improved the growth of A. cruentus but Poultry manure outperformed the other manures in terms of leaf area, stem girth and RGR, while GM treated plants outperformed other manures in producing the highest number of leaves. With the current advocacy for the consumption of food produced organically, it is recommended that the organic manures under study should be used for the cultivation of A. cruentus most especially by the resource poor farmers as it is cheaper, environmentally friendly and might be safer for consumption than vegetables produced through the application of synthetic fertilizers.