Growth, Yield and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Corchorus olitorius under Irrigated and Rain-fed Conditions in Northeastern Benin (West Africa)

Abstract

Aims: Investigated the influence of organic manures (municipal solid waste compost [MSWC] and cow dung) and N-fertilizer on growth, yield and nutrient use efficiency of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) under two water regimes (rain-fed and irrigated).
 Study Design: Randomized complete block.
 Place and Duration of Study: Farm of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Parakou, Northern Benin (latitude 09°20’16.8’’N and longitude 002°38’54’’ E, 353 m asl), during 2013 rainy (June to August) and dry seasons (October to December 2013).
 Methodology: Ten treatments derived from a factorial combination of five levels of organic manures (control, MSWC at 10 t/ha, MSWC at 20 t/ha, cow dung at 10 t/ha and cow dung at 20 t/ha) and two levels of N-fertilizer (0 kg and 50 kg urea/ha), arranged in a randomized complete block with three replicates were considered.
 Results: Results showed that water regime significantly (p<.001) affected growth and yield of jute mallow. In addition, the growth and yield parameters showed significant differences (p<.001) in relation to different rates of organic manures. The integrated use of organic manure and urea increased plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, number of branches, leaf growth parameters and leaf yield. The maximum amount of leaf yield (7554.88 kg/ha) was obtained with 20 tons/ha of MSWC and 50 kg urea/ha.
 Conclusion: Fertilizer types also had highly significant effects on nutrient use efficiency. Application of these treatments could help to enhance yield and growth of the jute mallow.

Climate change impact on the distribution of Tossa jute using maximum entropy and educational global climate modelling

“…The presence of K and P offered adequate nutrients for leaf area development and plant stem diameter. These improved the plant height, the number of leaves, stem diameter, total leaf area and the number of branches of Tossa (Aliyu, 2000; Katé et al ., 2020).…”