Performance of Mungbeans (Vigna radiata (L) Willczek) in Soil Amended with Oil Palm Bunch Ash and Poultry Manure in Humid Tropical Environment of South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: A study was conducted to evaluate supplementary effects of oil palm bunch ash (OPBA) and poultry manure (PM) on the growth and yield performance of mungbeans.
 Study Design: The study used a 3 x 3 factorial experiment laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications.
 Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out at the University of Calabar Teaching and Research farm, Calabar, Nigeria during the 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons respectively
 Methodology: Mung bean variety NM 92 was planted in a well prepared field to evaluate its response to PM and OPBA applications. The treatments included three levels of OPBA (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1) and three levels of PM (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1. PM was cured and applied two weeks before planting while the OPBA was applied at planting. Plant growth data including plant height, number of leaves, number of branches and leaf area were measured at 2,4, 6 weeks after planting whereas the yield data including days to fifty percent flowering, number of pods, pod length , pod and seed yield were recorded
 Results: The highest agronomic parameters as well as yield attributing characters and yield were obtained when 10 t ha-1 OPBA or 10 t ha-1 of PM were applied. Each of the levels of applications significantly decreased the number of days to 50% flowering. The highest seed yields of 0.77 t ha-1 in 2014 and 0.82 t ha-1 in 2015 were obtained with the applications of 5 t ha-1 OPBA + 10 t ha-1 PM and 10 t ha-1 OPBA + 10 t ha-1 PM, respectively.
 Conclusion: The best agronomic, yield attributing characters and yield of mungbeans were obtained when 10 t ha-1 OPBA or 10 t ha-1 of PM were applied. Also the combined application of 5 t ha-1 OPBA + 10 t ha-1 PM or 10 t ha-1 OPBA + 10 t ha-1 PM gave significantly higher increment in yield. Hence, from our study, it was found that both organic matter sources may be used to obtain higher yields in mungbeans.

Co-application of Neem-based biochar with poultry manure and its implications for sustainable production of cucumber (Cucumis sativus Linn.) in humid tropical soil

“…The soil was also observed to be strongly acidic in soil reaction with a pH of 5.4, having low exchangeable cations (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and K + ), OC, and total nitrogen. The previous studies [5,6,27] also reported that "essential nutrients such as total N, organic C, and exchangeable cations in coastal plain soils are mostly low, and the low status of these nutrients in the experimental soil is an indication of low fertility." Thus, an additional supply of nutrients through biochar and PM to improve the growth and yield of cucumber was necessary.…”

“…Whereas several research studies including Uko et al [5] have reported poultry manure (PM) to possess high nutrient contents, most especially total nitrogen, and have been used as organic fertilizer for soil amendment for several decades now [18]; nevertheless, its excessive direct application to the soil has many environmental consequences including but not limited to ammonia volatilization, groundwater contamination, greenhouse gas emission, and emission of offensive odors [5,19,20]. Similarly, the application of biochar alone may be limited in supplying all the essential plant nutrients required for crop growth due to its low nutrient contents and recalcitrance to biodegradation [21].…”