A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of NPK, poultry manure, and organomineral fertilizer on the growth and nutrient concentration ofMoringa oleiferaleaves. The experimental design was completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments replicated three times. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA atP=0.05. Growth parameters measured include number of leaves per plant, plant height (cm), and stem girth (mm). The application of poultry manure increased the height, number of leaves, and stem girth of moringa compared to the application of NPK and organomineral fertilizer while the control had the least growth. Poultry manure, NPK, and organomineral fertilizer were 66%, 62%, and 39% higher in number of leaves than the control at eight weeks after planting. The application of poultry manure significantly(P≤0.05)increased the nutrient content of moringa leaves compared to other sources of fertilizer applied. The results shows that the application of poultry manure significantly(P≤0.05)improved the growth and nutrient content of moringa; however, further field trial is suggested.

Fertilizer application is essential in the improvement of soil quality and crop yield; it was therefore necessary to investigate the effects of integrated application of inorganic and organic base fertilizer on the soil chemical and physical properties. This experiment was conducted at the Ambrose Alli University Teaching and Research Farm, Ekpoma, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments, replicated three times; the treatments were; control (zero application), Indorama granular urea (GU), prilled urea (PU), full dose of P&K+75% Indorama granular urea (GUPK), full dose of P&K+75% prilled urea (PUPK), full dose of P&K+75% Indorama granular urea + 25% FYM (GUP&K+FYM), and full dose of P&K+75% prilled urea + 25% FYM (PUP&K+FYM). The rice variety cultivated was FARO 59. The initial results of the soil analyses showed that the soil was low in nutrient below critical values, the combine application of organic and inorganic fertilizer significantly (p<0.05) improved soil nutrient status compared to the other treatments. The combined application of inorganic and organic fertilizer increased soil pH value from 5.64 in control to 6.92. There was a significant (p< 0.05) improvement of the macro and micronutrient from the integrated application of inorganic and organic based fertilizers compared to other treatments. The application of GUP&K+FYM and PUP&K+FYM significant (p< 0.05) improved the Aggregate stability of the soil. The integrated applications of organic and inorganic fertilizer (GUP&K+FYM and PUP&K+FYM) will significantly (p< 0.05) improve the chemical and physical properties of soil.

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A two year field experiments were conducted at the College of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm,   Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria, to evaluate the integrated use of 25% rates of  selected herbicides mixtures (atrazine-pendimethalin (AP1) or primextra (PX1) and cover crops (a vegetable cowpea, "Akidi" (A), Melon (M) and Sweet potato (S) planted sole or mixed at 20,000 stands/ha (1) or 40,000 stands/ha (3) under manual (MT) and tractor tillage (TT) methods used primarily for weed control on soil properties and maize production. The experimental design was a split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Tractor Tillage (TT) and Manual Tillage (MT) were the main treatments. The sub treatments included ten integrated weed management (IWM), AP1AI, AP1AS1, AP1S3, AP1MS3, AP1AMS3, PX1A1, PX1AS1, PX1S3, PX1MS3, PX1AMS3 in addition to Weeded 3+6 Weeks After Planting (WAP) (C1) and unweeded(C2) as controls. Descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance were used to analyze data and the treatment means were compared using standard error at 5%. The level of Na, organic carbon, TN, %clay and %fine sand were higher in MT than TT during the experimental period while Mg, pH, %silt and clay were higher in TT than in MT. Herbicide groups did not significantly influenced soil properties in this study. The Ca2+, K+ and A-VP in all IWM treated plots were higher than the value in C2 . Treatments having Akidi (A1, AS1, AMS3) recorded higher OC than those without (S3, MS3). Therefore, MT improves soil condition and should be used in small scale farming and where TT is used, special consideration of soil type and frequency of use should be moderated. Use of IWM ameliorates fertility losses observed, with preference for mixture with at least a leguminous component.

Compost is an important source of organic fertilizer that can be used to amend degraded soil to improve soil nutrient and crops yield. This experiment was to evaluate the effect of sawdust – piggery compost on soil properties, growth and yield of maize and it was carried out at the Ambrose Alli University Teaching and Research Farm, Emaudo, Ekpoma, Edo State. The experiment was fitted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments and three replicates. The treatments were; control (0), 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 tonnes of sawdust – piggery compost per hectares (ha-1). Data collected were analysed using ANOVA and LSD was used to separate means. Soil nutrients were below critical levels and the application of compost improved fertility status of the soil. Growth parameters, dry matter yield, cob weight, grain yield and nutrient uptake were determined. It was observed that application of Sawdust – piggery compost significantly (p 0.05) increased the growth of maize compared to control. The application of 8 to 12 tonnes of sawdust – piggery compost significantly (p 0.05) increased the plant height, leaf area and stem girth of maize compared to other treatments. The application of 8 to 12 tonnes per hectares (ha-1) of sawdust – piggery compost significantly (p 0.05) increased the cob weight, grain and dry matter yield of maize compared to other treatments, however, the application of 10 t ha-1 of compost to maize increased grain yield of maize than others rate of applications with the yield value of 4.60 t ha-1. The uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were higher with application of 12 tonnes of compost. In conclusion, the application rates of 10 t ha-1 of sawdust – piggery compost per hectare on nutrient depleted soils will improve the growth and yield of maize.