In the last one decade and half, lablab was evaluated for its crop-livestock production potentials in Samaru, Kano and Benin City in both the savanna and humid forest zones of Nigeria. Very early, early and intermediate accessions were identified that may be suitable for dry savanna and late growing season of the humid forest while late, very late and extremely late accessions were identified for moist savanna and humid forest. Vegetable-type, grain-type and dual-purpose lablab were identified. Lablab grain ranged from 600-2400 kg ha
In tropical and subtropical areas, the importance of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer in increasing crop production for food security cannot be overemphasized. A field study was therefore conducted at the Results showed that plant height, number of branches and number of leaves per plant were enhanced by organic and inorganic fertilizers. Similarly, combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer increased the pod weight/plant compared to the sole application of organic and inorganic fertilizer. Application rate of 2.5 t/ha poultry manure + 150 kg/ha NPK 15:15:15 gave the highest grain yield of 7.367 t/ha followed by 5 t/ha poultry manure + 100 kg/ha NPK which gave (7.244 t/ha), application rate of 7 t/ha poultry manure + 60 kg/ha NPK gave (6.654 t/ha), while 10 t/ha poultry manure gave (3.889 t/ha) and this was followed by application rate of 200 kg/ha NPK 15:15:15 which gave (4.112 t/ha) and the control gave the lowest grain yield of (3.245 t/ha). The application of 2.5 t/ha poultry manure + 150 kg/ha NPK 15:15:15 is therefore suggested for the growth and yield of soyabean in Edo rainforest of Nigeria.
Field trials were conducted in 2009, 2010 and 2011 in the University of Benin, Nigeria to determine influence of NPK fertilizer and varying cropping ratios on nutrient uptake and quality components of maize and egusi melon. Cropping ratios and application of NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer at 600 kg/ha significantly (P<0.01) enhanced the percent oil, protein, N and P in maize grains and egusi melon seeds; except for maize where cropping ratios failed to enhance these qualities relative to the sole maize. Cropping ratios influenced mostly the nutrient uptake by maize grains; while N uptake was highest in sole maize, P (2.10 kg/ha) content was lowest in sole maize. For other nutrients, that is K, Ca and Mg their contents in maize grains was enhanced due to intercropping with egusi melon thus making the egusi melon less competitive with maize for the nutrients. Increased fertilizer rates (0 to 600 kg/ha) of the NPK 20:10:10 enhanced N and Mg uptake in maize grains in intercrop with egusi melon. The trend was different in nutrient uptake by egusi melon with respect to applied fertilizer. The less uptake of nutrients by the crop may suggest residue of same nutrients for further cultivation.
Amaranthus cruentus L. is a leafy vegetable that is cultivated mainly for its leaves and grains. Due to high demand for this crop in Nigeria, the need to boost its productivity becomes necessary. Field and laboratory studies were conducted during in two successive cropping seasons at the experimental farm and laboratory unit of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City. Three cutting heights C1: (10 cm), C2: (15 cm), C3: (20 cm) and a control C0: (no cutting) and four rates of fertilizer application F0: (Control), F1: (10 t ha-1 poultry manure), F2: (150 kg ha-1 NPK15:15:15) and F3 (75 t ha-1 NPK 15:15:15 + 5 t ha-1 poultry manure) constituted the treatments. The treatments were in three replicate laid out in a (4 × 4) factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design. Data collected were plant height (cm), leaf area (cm2), stem diameter (cm) and number of branches. Fresh and dry herbage yield were taken at harvest. Growth, yield, and quality of Amarathus cruentus were significantly influenced by cutting heights and fertilizer application. In both years, number of branches (3.50 and 6.01) were lowest at C0 compared with other treatments. Herbage fresh and dry yield (49.10 t ha-1 and 18.20 t ha-1) were highest at C3 and was consistent in both years. Similarly, the concentration of K, Ca, and Mg in plant tissue and the uptake of nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na) increase at C3 compared with other treatments. F3 significantly (p<0.05) produced highest dry herbage yield (13.08 t ha-1and 25.15 t ha-1) in both years. Crude protein, fibre and fat content of the shoots were highest at cutting height of C3 and at F3 fertilizer rate. Therefore, for good yield and better quality of Amaranthus cruentus L, a combination of (75 t ha-1 NPK 15:15:15 + 5 t ha-1 poultry manure) at cutting height of C3: (20 cm above soil level) is recommended for Amaranthus cruentus L production in the study area.
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