Effects of Soil Amendment on Productivity of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench) in an Ultisol of Southeastern Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70110/osse.v3i1.33Keywords:
Okra, Organic Matter, Soil Amendments, Soil Chemical Properties, UltisolAbstract
Background: Soil fertility management plays a vital role in determining okra yield in Nigeria. The majority of soils in southeastern Nigeria are primarily classified as ultisols. These soils tend to be acidic and deficient in nutrients, resulting in declining crop yield over time. A field experiment was carried out during the 2021 and 2022 cropping seasons at the National Horticultural Research Institute's Mbato Okigwe Sub-station, situated within the rainforest zone of Nigeria.
Aims: The study aimed to assess the impact of different organic fertilizer sources on the sustainable cultivation of okra in southeastern Nigeria.
Methods: The experiment was organized in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The treatments included four sources of organic fertilizers (poultry manure, goat manure, cow dung, and wood ash) and a control (no soil amendment). Data on growth and yield were collected from the okra plants and analyzed using analysis of variance.
Result: The results indicated a significant improvement in both soil fertility and okra yield. Notably, the application of poultry manure resulted in the highest organic matter content at harvest: 2.79% and 2.81% in the 2021 and 2022 cropping seasons, respectively. The use of wood ash led to a significant increase in soil pH. The control treatment, which did not receive any organic amendments, recorded the lowest levels of organic matter content, total nitrogen, and exchangeable bases. Poultry manure treatment produced a substantial okra fruit yield of 7.86 and 7.84 t/ha in the 2021 and 2022 cropping seasons, respectively, compared to only 2.31 and 2.28 t/ha observed in the control treatment.
Conclusion: Based on the study findings, the application of poultry manure was recommended to achieve higher okra yields. The study suggests that other organic fertilizer applications can be considered for sustainable soil management in southeastern Nigeria.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Helen Udoma Sampson, Angus Onwudiwe Ikeh, Janeth Oliver Orji, Uko Idem Uko, Diana Adaobi Okparaiheoma, Chiamaka Gloria Akuwueze, Nkechinyere Kate Anonaba, Juliana Nkiru Okamigbo
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