Marginal soils are characterized by low nutrient availability, which adversely affects crop productivity. The incorporation of organic materials and cultivation techniques plays an important role in maintaining soil health and crop yield. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of photosynthetic bacterial fertilizers and the push-pull system cultivation technique. The research was conducted in Banjaran Village, Purbalingga Regency, utilizing a completely randomized block design. Treatments tested included S0 (control), S1 (50 mL/2L), and S2 (100 mL/2L), as well as P0 (control), P1 (lemongrass), and P2 (peanuts). Each treatment was replicated three times and analyzed using ANOVA, with Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) (α=5%) applied for significant differences. The observed variables included fresh plant weight, leaf area, fresh root weight, age of male flowers, and chlorophyll a levels. The results indicate that the application of photosynthetic bacteria significantly affects the fresh weight of the plants and the age of male flowers. However, there is no significant effect on leaf area, fresh root weight, and chlorophyll a levels. The push-pull system cultivation technique significantly affects chlorophyll a levels, although no significant differences were found in fresh plant weight, leaf area, fresh root weight, and age of male flowers.
A field experiment comparing the effects of cow dung, chicken droppings, and a mixture of both on the germination and growth parameters of maize (Zea mays) was conducted at the Botanical Garden, University of Maiduguri, located in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria. Treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The variables assessed included the number of germinated seedlings, plant height, number of leaves, and plant diameter. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and mean values were separated using the LSD test at a significance level of five percent. The results revealed that the application of organic manures, particularly chicken droppings (14.00), positively influenced maize germination and performance compared to N.P.K (2.00) treatments. Specifically, plots treated with chicken droppings exhibited the highest number of leaves (5.33), tallest plant height (49.17), and largest plant diameter (3.97) per plant. These findings suggest that chicken droppings have the potential to enhance the growth parameters of maize.
Shettima T. U· Biological and Environmental...· 0 citations
Declining soil fertility is a major constraint to sustainable crop production in sub-Saharan Africa, and sole reliance on inorganic fertilizers raises concerns about long-term soil health. This study evaluated the effects of maize cob biochar and NPK fertilizer, applied individually and in combination, on soil properties, growth, and yield of maize (
Zea mays
L.) in Akure, Nigeria. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Treatments included control, biochar (1.5 and 3.0 t/ha), NPK fertilizer (100 and 200 kg/ha), and a combined application of 1.5 t/ha biochar with 100 kg/ha fertilizer. Growth parameters measured included plant height, leaf area index, internode length, and stem girth, while yield indices and post-harvest soil chemical properties were also assessed. Results showed that all treatments significantly improved maize performance compared to the control. Biochar alone produced the highest growth values and yield components, including cob weight (375.12 g), number of seeds per cob (707.80), and seed weight per cob (203.53 g), compared to the control (161.50 g, 104.73, and 37.49 g, respectively). The combined treatment also recorded high values (313.52 g, 670.50, and 169.94 g). Biochar improved soil properties, increasing organic carbon (0.89%) and organic matter (1.52%) relative to the control (0.69% and 0.19%), while fertilizer enhanced available phosphorus (5.39 cmol/kg). The study concludes that integrating maize cob biochar with inorganic fertilizer is an effective and sustainable strategy for improving soil fertility and maize productivity.
O. Nwafor, A. Johnson, Akinbuwa Olumakinde et al.· Advances in Bioscience and B...· 0 citations
Aim: This study evaluated the comparative effects of organic fertilizer (poultry manure) and inorganic fertilizer (NPK 15-15-15) on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Methodology: The experiment was conducted using a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three treatments: poultry manure, NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer, and a control with no fertilizer application, each replicated five times. The growth parameters measured included plant height and number of leaves, while yield per plant was assessed at harvest. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the 5% probability level.
Results: Fertilizer application significantly (P < 0.05) improved maize growth and yield compared with the control. Inorganic fertilizer recorded the highest mean plant height (93.0 cm), number of leaves (17.0), and yield per plant (1.91 kg), followed by organic fertilizer (86.2 cm, 15.2 leaves, and 1.36 kg), while the control recorded the lowest values. The ANOVA results indicated significant differences among treatments for all measured parameters.
Conclusion: Both organic and inorganic fertilizers significantly improved maize growth and yield under the conditions of this study. Although NPK 15-15-15 produced higher growth and yield values, poultry manure remains an important nutrient source for improving soil quality and supporting sustainable crop production. An integrated nutrient management approach that combines organic and inorganic fertilizers is recommended to enhance maize productivity while maintaining long-term soil fertility in the study area.
Adebowale Eniola Yusuf· Asian Journal of Research in...· 0 citations
Soybean is an important legume crop valued for its high protein and oil content, but its productivity is often limited by poor soil fertility and environmental stresses. This study aimed to determine the optimum potassium application rate for improving soybean growth and yield under the agroecological conditions of Kabul, Afghanistan. A field experiment was conducted during the 2025 growing season at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kabul University, using a randomized complete block design with five potassium levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha⁻¹) and three replications. Standard agronomic practices were applied uniformly throughout the experiment. Data were collected on plant height, branches per plant, pods per plant, total seeds per plant, 100-seed weight, and grain yield, and analysed using STAR software with the least significant difference test at the 5% probability level. Potassium application had no significant effect on vegetative growth traits, including plant height and number of branches per plant. However, it significantly improved yield components and grain yield. The application of 75 kg K ha⁻¹ produced the highest number of pods per plant, greatest 100-seed weight, and maximum grain yield, whereas increasing the rate to 100 kg K ha⁻¹ resulted in reduced yield. The findings indicate that potassium application enhances soybean productivity primarily through improved yield components rather than vegetative growth. It is concluded that 75 kg K ha⁻¹ is the optimum potassium rate for maximizing soybean yield under the agroecological conditions of Kabul, Afghanistan.
Rahmanullah Mansoor, Abdul ghani Ayubi, Mohammad Khalid Rashidi· International Journal of Cur...· 0 citations
Although nutrient management plays a crucial role in determining the productivity of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), comparative information on the effectiveness of organic and inorganic nutrient sources under local conditions is still scarce. A field experiment was conducted during the 2024, Rabi season at Khairahani, Chitwan, to evaluate the effects of different nutrient sources on growth, yield, and profitability of barley var. Mustangey Jau. Using a randomized complete block design with five treatments-controls, chemical fertilizer NPK, poultry manure, farmyard manure, and vermicompost-each replicated four times, significant differences were observed in plant height, leaf area index, effective tillers, and grain yield. NPK fertilizer produced the highest plant height (94.80 cm), leaf area index (0.18), effective tillers (6.52), and grain yield (1.69 t/ha), followed by poultry manure and vermicompost. Organic sources improved growth over the control but yielded less than NPK. Economic analysis showed NPK achieved the highest net return and benefit-cost ratio (2.19), followed by poultry manure (1.34). Therefore, the application of recommended NPK fertilizer is suggested for maximizing barley yield and profitability, while poultry manure can be considered as a suitable organic alternative for improving productivity compared with other organic sources.
A. Gaire, Anugya Dawadi, Sulochana Aryal· Journal of Plant Resources· 0 citations
Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a staple crop in semi-arid Nigeria, but its productivity is constrained by poor soil fertility. While inorganic NPK fertilizers can boost yields, their long-term use may degrade soil health. Organic alternatives like Gliricidia sepium remain underutilized despite their potential to improve soil quality. A field experiment was conducted at the Dryland Teaching and Research Farm, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, during the 2025 cropping season. The treatments comprised: T₁ (NPK 15 g plant⁻¹), T₂ (Gliricidia-based organic fertilizer 100 g plant⁻¹), T₃ (50 g Gliricidia + 7.5 g NPK plant⁻¹), and T₄ (control). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Data were collected on growth parameters, yield components, and post-harvest soil physicochemical properties. Analysis of variance was used to test treatment effects at p<0.05. Fertilizer application significantly (p<0.05) influenced millet growth at later stages. Plants treated with Gliricidia (T₂ and T₃) were significantly taller at 9 and 12 weeks after planting and produced more tillers than the NPK-only and control treatments. Although not statistically significant (p<0.05), the sole Gliricidia treatment (T₂) gave the highest grain yield (1.05 t ha⁻¹), representing a 48% increase over the control (0.71 t ha⁻¹). Post-harvest soil analysis showed that Gliricidia-amended plots had significantly higher pH (6.40) compared to the NPK-only plots (6.31). Available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium were significantly higher in the NPK treatment, while total nitrogen remained unaffected across treatments. Gliricidia-based organic fertilizer effectively enhances millet growth and shows strong potential for improving grain yield while buffering soil pH against acidification. It is recommended as a sustainable nutrient management option for smallholder farmers in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria.
S.B. Shamaki, G.A. Abubakar, M.B. Oyun et al.· Journal of Agriculture and E...· 0 citations