Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

The influence of fertilizer application methods and poultry manure on the pod yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) was investigated during the 2007 and 2008 early cropping seasons at the Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Kuru, Nigeria. Two fertilizer application methods (broadcasting and band placement) and three poultry manure (PM) rates (0, 5, and 10 t/ha) were tested in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Pod yield increase was influenced by the fertilizer application methods and poultry manure. In the 2007 trial, the 10 t PM/ha + Broadcasting treatment gave a mean pod yield of 1.85 t/ha while the 10 t PM/ha + Band placement (Row) treatment gave a pod yield of 2.62 t/ha. The 10 t PM/ha + Band placement pod yield (2.62 t/ha) was significantly (P<0.05) different from the other treatment means excluding the 10 t PM/ha + Broadcasting treatment. In the 2008 cropping season, the 10 t PM/ha + Broadcasting pod yield (1.59 t/ha) was significantly different from the pod yield of the other treatments but was not different from the 1.67 t/ha given by the 5 t PM/ha + Band placement (Row) treatment. There was also no significant difference between the 5 t PM/ha + Band placement (Row) pod yield (1.67 t/ha) and the 10 t PM/ha Band placement (Row) yield (1.95 t/ha). The number of pods from the 5 t PM/ha applied by band placement was comparable to that of the 10 t PM/ha + Broadcasting treatment. The findings suggest that the application of 10 t PM /ha by broadcasting had no significant advantage over the application of 5 t PM/ha by band placement along the row with regards to the pod yield of okra. Okra farmers will find the application of poultry manure at reduced rate (5-10 t/ha) by band placement more efficient and economical.
Keywords: Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), pod yield, poultry manure, broadcasting, band placement