Effects of Nigerian commercial organic fertilizers, compost and NPK on growth, shoot yield and nutritional quality of Solanum macrocarpon

  • W. B Akanbi Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso,
  • E.A. O. Ilupeju Ladoke Akintola University of TechnologyOgbomoso,
  • A. O Togun University of Ibadan, Ibadan,
  • A. O A. O University of Ibadan, Ibadan,
  • S. A. Adeyeye Babcock University, Ilishin Remo,
Keywords: Solanum macrocrpon, compost,, organic fertilizers, shoot yield, nutritional quality

Abstract

Effects of three commercial organic fertilizers (Providence, Pacesetter and Sunshine), tithonia compost and NPK inorganic fertilizer were assessed in two trials on growth, shoot yield and nutritional quality of Solanum macrocarpon at Ogbomoso, southwest Nigeria. The treatments were Providence fertilizer, Pacesetter fertilizer, Sunshine fertilizer, tithonia compost, NPK mineral fertilizer and control (non-fertilized plants). All the fertilizer treatments were analyzed and applied at equivalent fertilizer recommendation rate of 60 kg N/ha. The experimental design was randomized complete block with four replicates. Parameters taken were stem height and girth, number of leaves and leaf area, number of off shoots, dry matter and shoot yield as well as shoot elemental and proximate composition. Application of fertilizers enhance development of growth, shoot yield and nutritional quality of Solanum macrocarpon when compared with the control (nonfertilized plants). The growth, shoot yield and nutritional quality of plants fertilized with  Providence, Pacesetter and Sunshine organic fertilizers compared favourably with what was observed with plants fertilized with NPK inorganic fertilizer. The shoot yield varied from 4.6 t /ha in control plants to 21.2 t /ha in plants
nourished with Sunshine Organic fertilizer. The shoot nutritional quality also varied significantly with the three commercial fertilizers having the best, followed by NPK, and tithonia compost while control plants had the least. From the results of this study, it could be concluded that any of the three commercial organic fertilizers (Providence, Pacesetter and Sunshine) is suitable for optimum production of Solanum macrocarpon in south western Nigeria. 

Author Biographies

W. B Akanbi, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso,

Department of Agronomy, 

E.A. O. Ilupeju, Ladoke Akintola University of TechnologyOgbomoso,

Department of Agronomy,

A. O Togun, University of Ibadan, Ibadan,

Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology,

A. O A. O , University of Ibadan, Ibadan,

Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology,

S. A. Adeyeye , Babcock University, Ilishin Remo,

Department of Agriculture,

Published
2019-07-01
Issue
Vol 1 (2010): Vol 1.
Section
Articles