Effects of Soil Amendment on Productivity of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench) in an Ultisol of Southeastern Nigeria

Effects of Soil Amendment on Productivity of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench) in an Ultisol of Southeastern Nigeria
Helen Udoma Sampson1, Angus Onwudiwe Ikeh2, Janeth Oliver Orji3, Uko Idem Uko4, Diana Adaobi Okparaiheoma5, Chiamaka Gloria Akuwueze6, Nkechinyere Kate Anonaba7, Juliana Nkiru Okamigbo8
1 Federal College of Land Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria NG flag
2 University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria NG flag
3 University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria NG flag
4 Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology, Nung Ukim Ikono, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. NG flag
5 University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria NG flag
6 University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria NG flag
7 University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria NG flag
8 University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria NG flag
DOI: 10.70110/osse.v3i1.33
Issue Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025): Open Soil Science and Environment
Published 2025-06-01

Keywords:

Okra Organic Matter Soil Amendments Soil Chemical Properties Ultisol
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Abstract

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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Authors

1
Helen Udoma Sampson Federal College of Land Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Department of Crop Production, Federal College of Land Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

2
Angus Onwudiwe Ikeh University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

3
Janeth Oliver Orji University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

4
Uko Idem Uko Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology, Nung Ukim Ikono, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Department of Biology, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology, Nung Ukim Ikono, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

5
Diana Adaobi Okparaiheoma University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

6
Chiamaka Gloria Akuwueze University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

7
Nkechinyere Kate Anonaba University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

8
Juliana Nkiru Okamigbo University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria

How to Cite

Sampson, H. U., Ikeh, A. O., Orji, J. O., Uko, U. I., Okparaiheoma, D. A., Akuwueze, C. G., Anonaba, N. K., & Okamigbo, J. N. (2025). Effects of Soil Amendment on Productivity of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench) in an Ultisol of Southeastern Nigeria. Open Soil Science and Environment, 3(1), 12–19. https://doi.org/10.70110/osse.v3i1.33

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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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