A two-year field study was conducted during the growing seasons of 2007 and 2008 in Calabar, south eastern Nigeria to evaluate the response of two improved sweet potato varieties (TIS 8164 and Ex-Igbariam) to five rates (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg K/ha)of potassium fertilizer. Factorial combinations of the treatments were arranged into a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that Ex-Igbariam was more responsive to K application than TIS8164 as indicated by the production of longer vines, higher number of leaves and branches/plant and heavier vine dry weight at all the applied K rates. Averaged across the two years, revealed that Ex-Igbariam out-yielded TIS8164 by 12.5, 12.7 and 13.3% for number of tubers/plant, weight of tubers/plant and tuber yield/ha, respectively. Application of K at the highest rate (160 kg/ha) significantly (P<0.05) increased vine length, number of leaves and branches/plant, whereas dry weight of vine, diameter of tubers/plant and weight of tubers/plant were statistically similar at 120 and 160 kg K/ha rates. Number of tubers/plant and tuber yield/ha peaked at 120 kg K/ha and 160 kg K/ha, respectively. Aggregate tuber yield/ha obtained at 120 and 160 kg K/ha rates were more than 7 and 8 times, respectively higher than the control treatments. Potassium fertilizer application at 120 to 160 kg/ha appeared appropriate for optimum yield for Ex-Igbariam in the study area and is therefore recommended.
This research was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Uyo, Nigeria to study the effect of applying compost made from poultry manure, municipal waste and ash on maize growth and yield. The composting of the organic wastes was done using a dry weight ratio of 3:1:0.5 of poultry manure, municipal solid waste (sorted) and ash, respectively. The finished compost was applied to the maize in polythene bags at the rates of 0, 10, 20 and 40 t ha -1 . Each of these treatments was replicated four times. Eight maize seeds were planted per bag for six weeks during which soil samples were collected. Standard laboratory analysis was carried out on experimental soil, compost and maize plants samples. The mean plant height, root length and number of roots of maize planted on the control (soil only) were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those on all the compost fertilized treatments from 14 to 42 days after planting (DAP). Dry matter (%) of maize plant at 42 DAP indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) among all the treatments. Among the micronutrients Cr was not detected, Cd maintained a constant level of 2.60 mg kg -1 in both compost fertilized and unfertilized maize plants, while Fe, Mn and Co were found in lower amounts in plants fertilized with compost than in the soil only. Maize plants fertilized with various compost treatments performed better than those planted on soil only due to enhancement by the organic matter and various nutrients contained in the composts.
This research was conducted within Uyo metropolis, Nigeria. Three designated dumpsites of municipal solid waste (MSW) were randomly selected for the collection of samples for analysis of the physical and macronutrient contents of their organic fraction. After the waste was sorted, its physical components were determined to be: organic materials (73.7%), plastics/polythene (12.9%), cans/metals (4.3%), bottles/glasses (4.2%), clothes/shoes (4.3%), and ceramics (0.6%). Laboratory analysis of the organic components of the waste indicated that the mean nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents were 11.0, 3.2, and 10.7 g kg −1 , respectively. The mean contents of other elements were calcium (Ca) (87.7 g kg −1 ), sodium (Na) (18.4 g kg −1 ), and sulfur (S) (2.3 g kg −1 ). The mean organic-matter content of the organic components of the waste was 223.7 g kg −1 . Both the physical and macronutrient contents of the waste differed from one location to another within the municipality. The high content of organic matter and some essential macronutrients in the waste suggest its high value for use in the production of organic and organo-mineral fertilizers for sustainable agricultural development.
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