Aims: To compare the effects of basalt dust, Tithonia diversifolia (T. diversifolia) powder and NPK 20-10-10 on the growth and production of Garlic (Allium sativum, softneck variety) in Bafut (Cameroon Volcanic Line). Study Design: A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in the field was used. The treatments were T0 (control), T1 (0.7 tons ha-1 NPK 20-10-10), T2 (0.4 tons ha-1 basalt), T3 (0.6 tons ha-1 basalt) and T4 (0.5 tons ha-1 T. diversifolia powder). Place and Duration of Study: The study conducted in Bafut (Cameroon) from 2nd August 2017 to 24th February 2018. Methodology: Fieldwork involved land preparation, planting and collection of growth and yield parameters as well as rocks and soil sampling. Laboratory work involved soil physicochemical analysis and cutting of rock thin sections for microscopic observations. The plant data were subjected to statistical and economic analyses. Results: The control soil (T0) showed a sandy clayey loamy texture, acidic pH (5.1), very high organic carbon (6.4%), low total nitrogen (0.2%) and moderate available phosphorus (19.42 mg kg-1). The exchangeable complex revealed high K+ (0.88 cmol (+).kg-1), very low Ca2+ (0.63 cmol (+).kg-1) and Mg2+ (0.21 cmol (+).kg-1), low Na+ (0.07 cmol (+). kg-1), very low sum of exchangeable bases (1.79 cmol (+).kg-1), moderate cation exchange capacity (CEC) (22.7 cmol (+). kg-1) and a very low base saturation (7.88%). C/N ratio was very high (35>17) indicating very poor quality organic matter and a potentially very slow mineralization rate. Growth and yield parameters, except fruit number, were such that T2>T3>T4>T1>T0. T2, T3 and T4 plants gave high yields while T1 recorded the lowest yields below the control. The net yield showed that T3>T4>T2>T0>T1 suggesting that basalt dust and T. diversifolia powder improved soil fertility that in turn boosted yields. Economically, T1 had a BCR (benefit-to-cost ratio)<1 indicative of no profit, while T2, T3 and T4 showed a BCR>2 indicating more than 100% profit of the investment and a possibility of popularization of these treatments. Conclusion: Natural basalt dust and T. diversifolia powder treatments gave better garlic yields indicating a better soil fertilizing capacity compared to synthetic NPK 20-10-10. Basalt dust and T. diversifolia can be popularized to local inhabitants.
Although chemical fertilizers have boosted food production in the last century, their efficiency is limited by their low potential to remineralize and restore chemically depleted soils at long term. This work investigates the comparative effects of basalt dust, poultry manure and NPK 20-10-10 on soil fertility and cucumber performance in Bafut (North-West Cameroon). The work was done in the field and in the laboratory. The experimental plot (82 m 2) was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five treatments (and three replications): control (T 0), 2.5 tons ha-1 of basalt dust (T1), 20 tons ha-1 of poultry manure (T 2), 0.7 tons ha-1 of NPK 20-10-10 fertilizer (T 3) and 5 tons ha-1 of basalt dust (T 4). The main results revealed that T 0 showed a sandy clayey loam texture, acidic pH (5.1), very high organic carbon (6.4%), low total nitrogen (0.2%) and moderately available phosphorus (16.70 mg kg-1). The exchangeable complex revealed high K (1.02 cmol (+). kg-1), very low Ca (0.45 cmol (+). kg-1) and Mg 2+ (0.17 cmol (+). kg-1), low Na + (0.2 cmol (+). kg-1), very low sum of exchangeable bases (1.84 cmol (+). kg-1), very low cation exchange capacity (CEC) and a moderate base saturation (43.4%). The C/N was very high (23) indicating very poor quality organic matter and a potentially very slow mineralization rate. After treatment, pH, exchangeable bases Ca and Mg increased after harvest whereas Na and K decreased for all the treatments. The growth and yield parameters of all treatments, except number of fruits, were such that T 2 >T 3 >T 4 >T 1 >T 0. The numbers of fruits were as follows: T 2 >T 4 >T 3 >T 1 >T 0. The most economically viable soil treatment was attained by T 2 with a profit rate (PR) of 933% and a VCR value of 10.3. Treatments T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T 4 were all profitable since their value-to cost ratio (VCR)>1, but only T 2 and T 3 show a VCR (value-to-cost ratio) greater than 2 and are thus recommended for popularization.
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