No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Purpose The need for increasing production of Moringa oleifera in Nigeria can be achieved through adequate fertilization. This study investigated the effects of sources and rates of NPK (15:15:15) and compost on soil properties and productivity of Moringa at National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods NPK was applied at 30, 60, and 90 kg N/ ha, cow dung (CD), poultry manure (PM) and organomineral (OM) were applied at 10, 20 and 30 tons/ha. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Organic fertilizers were incorporated into the soil 2 weeks before sowing; NPK was split applied at 2 and 5 weeks after sowing. Seeds were sown at 75 cm 9 75 cm spacing. Data were taken on plant height (cm), stem girth (cm), number of leaves, leaf biomass, stems weight and post-planting soil properties.Results Growth values for NPK and compost treatments were higher than the control. PM applied at 30 tons ha -1 resulted in highest growth values: plant height (65.91 cm), stem girth (1.51 cm) and number of leaves (14.20). PM applied at 30 tons ha -1 gave higher stem weight (2249.9 g) and leaf biomass (3610.5 g). Post-planting soil analysis indicated that nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, manganese, iron and zinc contents were higher in plots with organic and inorganic fertilizers except for potassium and magnesium.Conclusion PM proved more superior to CD manure and others because it produced better growth attributes such as shoot height, stem girth and number of leaves and leaf biomass than its counterparts produced.

The pollution indices and the potential ecological risks of heavy metals contents of the soil affected by municipal waste were investigated in Ondo, southwestern, Nigeria. The heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS).

Cornstover, garbage compost, and cowdung were added to an Alfisol (Iwo series) at the rates of 0, 23, 69, and 115 Mg ha -1 and incubated for 4 weeks in the greenhouse prior to sowing cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) var. Ife Brown]. Two successive plantings were made per pot. Harvesting of the plants was at onset of flowering, 42 days after planting. Nitrogen (N) fixed was assessed using the N 2 difference method. Soil reaction (pH), organic carbon (C), and tissue N contents were increased by all the organic amendments. At both harvests, dry matter yields were significantly enhanced by garbage compost and cowdung. While garbage compost and cowdung increased the amounts of N 2 fixed, the efficiency of N 2 fixation was higher in the cornstover treatments. The cornstover additions also significantly increased nodule size and number. These results suggest that organic amendments would benefit N 2 fixation especially in soils low in indigenous organic matter. The beneficial effects were in the order: cowdung > garbage compost > cornstover. To enhance N 2 fixation in cowpea, a rate of 23 Mg ha -1 of these organic amendments is suggested. 2455

No abstract

No abstract