Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 2024
The field experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research farm of Akwa Ibom State Univers... more The field experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research farm of Akwa Ibom State University Obio Akpa campus, in 201 B to determine the Optimum Poultry manure rate for Amaranthus. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. The treatments were four rates of poultry manure and 6 t/ha) Growth and yield parameters were assessed, and data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significance difference at 5% probability. Results showed that poultry manure rate had significant (pe 0.05) effects on all the growth and yield parameters assessed except stem girth. The treatment that received 6 t/ ha performed best in all the parameters, while the least was recorded from the control treatment. The application of 6 t/ ha poultry manure, produced 12:19 t/ha fresh foliage yield, followed by the plot that received 4 t/ha poultry (1 1.33 t/ha), The treatment of 2 t/ha produced 7.70 t/ha foliage yield. The lowest foliage yield of 3.18 t/ha was harvested from the control plot the application of poultry manure also enhanced dry matter accumulation. The plot of 6 t/ha poultry manure produced 30.71g matter, while the control treatment had 33.14g. Therefore, the study recommended the application of 4t/ha poultry manure for optimum fresh foliage yield and dry matter accumulation
A field experiment was conducted in 2021 to evaluate the effect of poultry manure and Supergro or... more A field experiment was conducted in 2021 to evaluate the effect of poultry manure and Supergro organic liquid fertilizer on the growth and yield of sweetpotatoes. Soil analysis before planting revealed a sandy loam texture with a pH of 5.8, moderate organic carbon (1.29%), and total nitrogen (0.06%). The treatments were four fertilizer rates; 5t/ha poultry manure (PM), 10t/ha PM, Supergro, and a control. Results indicated that the 10t/ha PM treatment significantly enhanced leaf number, vine length, and root development compared to other treatments, with notable improvements observed at 10 and 12 weeks. The number of branches and Leaf Area Index (LAI) also increased with higher fertilizer application, though these differences were not statistically significant. The 10t/ha PM treatment yielded the highest biomass and storage root production, although yield differences were not statistically significant. Overall, the application of 10t/ha PM demonstrated the most substantial positive impact on sweetpotato growth and yield, suggesting its potential for Improving sweetpotato cultivation in similar soil conditions.
AKSU Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2024
Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a versatile and underutilized crop with significant potential fo... more Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a versatile and underutilized crop with significant potential for food security and economic development. An experiment was conducted in the early planting season of 2022 to investigate the effects of different vegetative cuttings on the growth and yield of sweetpotato varieties in Nigeria. Treatments were three different vegetative cuttings (terminal, sub-terminal, and basal stem cuttings). Results indicate that sub-terminal stem cuttings consistently promoted increased leaf production and branch formation compared to other cuttings. Terminal stem cuttings exhibited longer vine lengths but did not significantly differ in biomass yield. However, they resulted in higher root numbers, highlighting their potential for root development. These findings contribute to our understanding of vegetative propagation methods and can inform agricultural practices aimed at improving sweetpotato production and food security in Nigeria and beyond.
AKSU Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2024
The success of an intercropping system depends largely on the choice of crop species, their compa... more The success of an intercropping system depends largely on the choice of crop species, their compatibility and the various management practices, including the time of sowing. Relative sowing time variations in sweet maize/ water melon intercropping system was examined in the 2022 and 2023 cropping seasons. The experiments were conducted at the Teaching and
International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, 2024
Lack of sustainable seed system is a major constraint to sweetpotato production in Nigeria. Healt... more Lack of sustainable seed system is a major constraint to sweetpotato production in Nigeria. Healthy vines are insufficient at the onset of the rains, after the dry season has desiccated the previous crop. To raise vines and alleviate this problem, this study evaluated the effects of ratoon cropping and nutrient management on orange-fleshed sweetpotato in the rainforest agro-ecology of South-southern Nigeria. The experiment was a split-plot arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that sweetpotato plant crop produced significantly more branches, higher leaf area index, dry matter of shoot and root and higher fresh shoot biomass than the first and second ratoon crops. Ratoon cropping did not significantly affect root yield in 2017. However, in 2018, the trends in root yield showed that the plant crop yielded highest followed by first ratoon and second ratoon. Application of a combination of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK significantly increased leaf area index, fresh shoot biomass and root yield. Production of seed for potato planting should prioritize the plant crop and for improved yields, producers should apply 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK.
Field experiment was conducted during 2013 and 2014 cropping season at Umudike, southeastern Nige... more Field experiment was conducted during 2013 and 2014 cropping season at Umudike, southeastern Nigeria, to evaluate the effect of fertilizer combinations (poultry manure, NPK (15:15:15) and agrolyser) on two varieties of orange-fleshed sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas). The experiment was a split-plot laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Combined application of 2.5 t/ha poultry manure + 200 kg NPK produced significantly higher leaf area index of 3.3, shoot biomass of 31.9 t/ha and multiplication ratio of 1:48than the control or application of NPK or agrolyser alone. Application of 2.5 t/ha poultry manure + 200 kg NPK also produced significantly higher average storage root yield of 29.1 t/ha than no fertilizer or agrolyser application, and also gave higher carotenoid level than application of NPK or the control. Umuspo 1 suppressed weeds more and significantly produced 598% higher shoot biomass and 125% higher average storage root yield than Umuspo 3. Umuspo 3 variety however, had a carotenoid level of 2268.1mg/g, which was higher than that of Umuspo 1 by 1860%. The highest net monetary returns from the cultivars accrued from a combined application of 2.5t/ha poultry manure and 200 kg NPK while the lowest return was from where no manure was applied or where agrolyser was applied alone.
Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment, 2023
Field experiment was conducted during the 2020 and 2021 cropping season at Obio Akpa, Southern Ni... more Field experiment was conducted during the 2020 and 2021 cropping season at Obio Akpa, Southern Nigeria, to evaluate the response of orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) varieties to NPK fertilizer. The experiment was a 3x5 factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results obtained showed that Umuspo 3 produced on average higher number of branches and vine lengths per plant. Storage root yields were higher in Umuspo 3 than the other varieties by 7-78% and 207.6-341% in 2020 and 2021.Storage root yields obtained from 400 kg/ha x 500 kg/ha NPK fertilizer were comparable but significantly higher than yield obtained from the control or 200 kg/ha NPK treatment. There was significant interaction effect between variety and fertilizer treatments, with 400 kg/ha NPK fertilizer consistently giving higher storage root yields in both years. From the above results, cultivation of Umuspo 3 orange fleshed Sweet potato using 400 kg/ha NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer is recommended in Obio Akpa.
In the rainforest of south eastern Nigeria, new varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (Ipome... more In the rainforest of south eastern Nigeria, new varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (Ipomea batatas Lam) have been introduced but appropriate soil nutrient management for these cultivars is lacking. The present study evaluated the response of two varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (Umuspo 1 and Umuspo 3) to different fertilizer combinations (Poultry manure, NPK and agrolyser). The experiment was a split plot laid out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Results obtained showed that weed dry matter was lower with the control or with application of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK than with application of poultry manure at 10t/ha. Storage root yields obtained from 400kg/ha NPK(the check) or 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK were comparable but significantly higher than the yields from the control or agrolyser or from 200kg/ha NPK + agrolyser. Umuspo 1 variety gave higher shoot biomass and lower weed density than Umuspo 3. There was no interaction between the fertilizer combinations and variety, suggesting that the orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties responded similarly to nutrient management strategies.
/ha produced significantly higher shoot dry weight than higher plant densities. Planting at 33,33... more /ha produced significantly higher shoot dry weight than higher plant densities. Planting at 33,333 or 40,000 plants/ha gave more tubers than planting at 66,666 or 100,000 plants/ha. Averaged across two seasons, minituber yield was increased at 66,666 plants/ha than at the lower plant populations. Mean tuber yield for the two seasons also increased significantly in response to NPK fertilizer application up to 600kg/ha. Interaction effects showed that planting at 66,666 plants/ha density and NPK application at 600-800kg/ha were sufficient to give high minituber yields.
Field experiment was conducted at Akwa Ibom State University teaching and research farm during th... more Field experiment was conducted at Akwa Ibom State University teaching and research farm during the 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons to evaluate the growth and yield of cocoyam on varying rates of organic manure in a cocoyam basedintercropping system in Obio Akpa, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were four organic manure rates-PM 0 t/ha, PM 2.5 t/ha, PM 5.0 t/ha, PM 7.5 t/ha) and three crop mixtures-Sole Cocoyam, Cocoyam + Maize, Cocoyam + Melon. Result showed significant differences in both the crop mixtures and organic manure rates applied on the plant height, leaf area and stem girth of cocoyam at 2, 4, 6 months after planting respectively. Organic manure PM 2.5 t/ha gave higher plant height, leaf area and stem girth in sole cocoyam, cocoyam + maize, cocoyam + melon and cocoyam + maize + melon at 2, 4, 6 months after planting in both cropping seasons. PM 5.0 t/ha gave higher values of corm and cormels yield, corms and cormels weight, cormels number and cormels length in sole cocoyam, cocoyam + melon and cocoyam + maize + melon in both seasons. PM 2.5 t/ha gave higher values of cormels yield, weight of corm, weight of cormels and length of cormels with Cocoyam + maize. Weight of corms and weight of cormels showed significant differences (P<0.05) on crop mixtures and organic manure in both seasons respectively.
AKSU Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2022
Waterleaf (Talinum fruticosum) is a vegetable useful to millions of sub-Saharan Africans; eaten a... more Waterleaf (Talinum fruticosum) is a vegetable useful to millions of sub-Saharan Africans; eaten as a leafy vegetable and useful in herbal medicine. During the dry season waterleaf farming becomes tedious for growers because of the need to supply water to the crop. Knowledge of the adequate water requirements for waterleaf will lead to more precise application regime. This research explored a means to establish an adequate watering regime; by studying the effect of different watering regimes on growth and production of water leaf. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with 10 replications. The treatments were 4 different watering intervals of 1-day, 3-days', 5-days' and 7-days. Parameters measured were plant height, leaf number, stem circumference and above ground fresh weight (FW). There was no significant effect of watering treatment on plant height and leaf number. Average fresh weight/plant across all treatments ranged from 1.4-8.68 g/plant. There was a significant effect of watering regimes on the FW at 9 weeks after planting (P=0.026). Water application at 7-day interval produced FW of 8.68g/plant higher than the 3day interval (2.65g/plant). No difference was observed between the 1, 3 and 5-day interval of watering. This result indicated that water supply at a frequency of 1-7 days may not influence leaf production/plant or plant height but may affect the overall FW/plant which has the potential to significantly affect foliage yield. Delayed application up to 7 days showed the most promising response with regard to FW yield, implying watering at a 1-3-day interval in the dry season could decrease foliage yield.
The concept that plant pathogens cause disease by producing toxic substances dates back about a c... more The concept that plant pathogens cause disease by producing toxic substances dates back about a century. Evidence for its general validity, however, has accumulated only recently. The difficulty has been that most plant disease symptoms are the result of a complex interplay of several factors. Some pathogens, in addition to producing one or more toxins, may also excrete enzymes which degrade cell walls, causing tissue disorganization; they may destroy plant hormones, causing abnormal growth of the host; or they may physically block the water-conducting vessels of the host by their prolific growth or by production of viscous polysaccharides. Because of this complexity, proof of the role of a toxin as one of several interacting factors causing a disease symptom is often difficult to obtain, even though the presence of toxic substances in cultures of most plant pathogens is easily demonstrated. Despite these problems, our growing knowledge of the biochemistry of symptom causation clearly establishes the role of toxins as a dominant one in most plant diseases.
International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, 2022
Field experiment was conducted at University of Uyo Teaching, research farm during the 2018 and 2... more Field experiment was conducted at University of Uyo Teaching, research farm during the 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons to assess the effect of fertilization on cocoyam-based intercropping systems. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were six fertilizers rates - 0kg/ha, NPK200kg/ha, NPK400kg/ha, PM2.5t/ha, PM5.0t/ha, Mixture (NPK200kg/ha + PM2.5t/ha) and six crop mixtures - Sole Cocoyam, Sole Melon, Sole Maize, Cocoyam + Maize, Cocoyam + Melon and Cocoyam + Melon + Maize). Result analysed with analysis of variance revealed PM2.5t/ha, NPK400kg/ha and Mixture (NPK200kg/ha + PM2.5t/ha) gave higher plant height, leaf area, stem girth in sole cocoyam, maize and melon respectively. PM2.5t/ha favoured leaf area, stem girths of cocoyam, maize with cocoyam + maize, cocoyam + melon and cocoyam + melon + maize crop mixtures. PM5.0t/ha gave higher values of corm, cormels, cormels weight, cormels number and cormels length in both so...
Field experiment was carried out in the 2013 cropping season in the rainforest of southeastern Ni... more Field experiment was carried out in the 2013 cropping season in the rainforest of southeastern Nigeria to determine the effect of fertilizer combinations on the growth of two orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties. Treatments consisted of nine fertilizer combinations (0-control, 5.3kg/ha of Agrolyser, 400kg/ha of NPK, 5t/ha of poultry manure, 10t/ha of poultry manure, 200kg/ha NPK + 2.7kg/ha Agrolyser, 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK, 5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK, and 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK + 2.7kg/ha Agrolyser) and two orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties (UmuSpo 1 and UmuSpo 3) laid out as split plot in randomized complete block design. The result showed that more branches were produced from 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK than from 5.4kg/ha Agrolyser or no fertilizer application at all sampling dates. Similarly, application of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK produced significantly higher fresh shoot weight than 400kg/ha NPK or 5.4kg/ha Agrolyser or no fertilizer application. At 8WAP, application of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK gave higher fresh storage root weight than application of Agrolyser at 5.4kg/ha. However, at 12WAP, application of 10t/ha poultry manure gave higher root weight than other treatments except 5t/ha poultry manure. UmuSpo 1 variety gave higher number of branches, leaf area index, fresh shoot weight, and fresh root weight than UmuSpo 3.
International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, Mar 10, 2022
The study was conducted in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons at the research farm of Akwa Ibom State... more The study was conducted in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons at the research farm of Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa, Nigeria to examine the effects of nutrient management, vine cutting time and variety on growth, yield and quality of sweetpotato. The experiment was laid out as split-split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that a combination of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK fertilizer or poultry manure alone significantly increased vine length, number of branches/plant, shoot dry matter and fresh shoot biomass compared to application of 400kg/ha inorganic NPK fertilizer alone and the no fertilizer application. The highest storage root yield and carotenoid content were obtained from combined application of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK fertilizer. A mixture of manure and fertilizer also significantly reduced decay of storage roots. No vine cutting significantly increased fresh shoot biomass but reduced carotenoid content compared to cutting at 16 or 17 WAP, while date of cutting had no effect on storage root yield. Sweetpotato variety white-fleshed TIS 87/0087 had significantly higher fresh shoot biomass and storage root yield than orange-fleshed Umuspo 3 but carotenoid content was higher in the latter than the former.
Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 2024
The field experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research farm of Akwa Ibom State Univers... more The field experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research farm of Akwa Ibom State University Obio Akpa campus, in 201 B to determine the Optimum Poultry manure rate for Amaranthus. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. The treatments were four rates of poultry manure and 6 t/ha) Growth and yield parameters were assessed, and data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significance difference at 5% probability. Results showed that poultry manure rate had significant (pe 0.05) effects on all the growth and yield parameters assessed except stem girth. The treatment that received 6 t/ ha performed best in all the parameters, while the least was recorded from the control treatment. The application of 6 t/ ha poultry manure, produced 12:19 t/ha fresh foliage yield, followed by the plot that received 4 t/ha poultry (1 1.33 t/ha), The treatment of 2 t/ha produced 7.70 t/ha foliage yield. The lowest foliage yield of 3.18 t/ha was harvested from the control plot the application of poultry manure also enhanced dry matter accumulation. The plot of 6 t/ha poultry manure produced 30.71g matter, while the control treatment had 33.14g. Therefore, the study recommended the application of 4t/ha poultry manure for optimum fresh foliage yield and dry matter accumulation
A field experiment was conducted in 2021 to evaluate the effect of poultry manure and Supergro or... more A field experiment was conducted in 2021 to evaluate the effect of poultry manure and Supergro organic liquid fertilizer on the growth and yield of sweetpotatoes. Soil analysis before planting revealed a sandy loam texture with a pH of 5.8, moderate organic carbon (1.29%), and total nitrogen (0.06%). The treatments were four fertilizer rates; 5t/ha poultry manure (PM), 10t/ha PM, Supergro, and a control. Results indicated that the 10t/ha PM treatment significantly enhanced leaf number, vine length, and root development compared to other treatments, with notable improvements observed at 10 and 12 weeks. The number of branches and Leaf Area Index (LAI) also increased with higher fertilizer application, though these differences were not statistically significant. The 10t/ha PM treatment yielded the highest biomass and storage root production, although yield differences were not statistically significant. Overall, the application of 10t/ha PM demonstrated the most substantial positive impact on sweetpotato growth and yield, suggesting its potential for Improving sweetpotato cultivation in similar soil conditions.
AKSU Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2024
Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a versatile and underutilized crop with significant potential fo... more Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a versatile and underutilized crop with significant potential for food security and economic development. An experiment was conducted in the early planting season of 2022 to investigate the effects of different vegetative cuttings on the growth and yield of sweetpotato varieties in Nigeria. Treatments were three different vegetative cuttings (terminal, sub-terminal, and basal stem cuttings). Results indicate that sub-terminal stem cuttings consistently promoted increased leaf production and branch formation compared to other cuttings. Terminal stem cuttings exhibited longer vine lengths but did not significantly differ in biomass yield. However, they resulted in higher root numbers, highlighting their potential for root development. These findings contribute to our understanding of vegetative propagation methods and can inform agricultural practices aimed at improving sweetpotato production and food security in Nigeria and beyond.
AKSU Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2024
The success of an intercropping system depends largely on the choice of crop species, their compa... more The success of an intercropping system depends largely on the choice of crop species, their compatibility and the various management practices, including the time of sowing. Relative sowing time variations in sweet maize/ water melon intercropping system was examined in the 2022 and 2023 cropping seasons. The experiments were conducted at the Teaching and
International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, 2024
Lack of sustainable seed system is a major constraint to sweetpotato production in Nigeria. Healt... more Lack of sustainable seed system is a major constraint to sweetpotato production in Nigeria. Healthy vines are insufficient at the onset of the rains, after the dry season has desiccated the previous crop. To raise vines and alleviate this problem, this study evaluated the effects of ratoon cropping and nutrient management on orange-fleshed sweetpotato in the rainforest agro-ecology of South-southern Nigeria. The experiment was a split-plot arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that sweetpotato plant crop produced significantly more branches, higher leaf area index, dry matter of shoot and root and higher fresh shoot biomass than the first and second ratoon crops. Ratoon cropping did not significantly affect root yield in 2017. However, in 2018, the trends in root yield showed that the plant crop yielded highest followed by first ratoon and second ratoon. Application of a combination of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK significantly increased leaf area index, fresh shoot biomass and root yield. Production of seed for potato planting should prioritize the plant crop and for improved yields, producers should apply 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK.
Field experiment was conducted during 2013 and 2014 cropping season at Umudike, southeastern Nige... more Field experiment was conducted during 2013 and 2014 cropping season at Umudike, southeastern Nigeria, to evaluate the effect of fertilizer combinations (poultry manure, NPK (15:15:15) and agrolyser) on two varieties of orange-fleshed sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas). The experiment was a split-plot laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Combined application of 2.5 t/ha poultry manure + 200 kg NPK produced significantly higher leaf area index of 3.3, shoot biomass of 31.9 t/ha and multiplication ratio of 1:48than the control or application of NPK or agrolyser alone. Application of 2.5 t/ha poultry manure + 200 kg NPK also produced significantly higher average storage root yield of 29.1 t/ha than no fertilizer or agrolyser application, and also gave higher carotenoid level than application of NPK or the control. Umuspo 1 suppressed weeds more and significantly produced 598% higher shoot biomass and 125% higher average storage root yield than Umuspo 3. Umuspo 3 variety however, had a carotenoid level of 2268.1mg/g, which was higher than that of Umuspo 1 by 1860%. The highest net monetary returns from the cultivars accrued from a combined application of 2.5t/ha poultry manure and 200 kg NPK while the lowest return was from where no manure was applied or where agrolyser was applied alone.
Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment, 2023
Field experiment was conducted during the 2020 and 2021 cropping season at Obio Akpa, Southern Ni... more Field experiment was conducted during the 2020 and 2021 cropping season at Obio Akpa, Southern Nigeria, to evaluate the response of orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) varieties to NPK fertilizer. The experiment was a 3x5 factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results obtained showed that Umuspo 3 produced on average higher number of branches and vine lengths per plant. Storage root yields were higher in Umuspo 3 than the other varieties by 7-78% and 207.6-341% in 2020 and 2021.Storage root yields obtained from 400 kg/ha x 500 kg/ha NPK fertilizer were comparable but significantly higher than yield obtained from the control or 200 kg/ha NPK treatment. There was significant interaction effect between variety and fertilizer treatments, with 400 kg/ha NPK fertilizer consistently giving higher storage root yields in both years. From the above results, cultivation of Umuspo 3 orange fleshed Sweet potato using 400 kg/ha NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer is recommended in Obio Akpa.
In the rainforest of south eastern Nigeria, new varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (Ipome... more In the rainforest of south eastern Nigeria, new varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (Ipomea batatas Lam) have been introduced but appropriate soil nutrient management for these cultivars is lacking. The present study evaluated the response of two varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (Umuspo 1 and Umuspo 3) to different fertilizer combinations (Poultry manure, NPK and agrolyser). The experiment was a split plot laid out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Results obtained showed that weed dry matter was lower with the control or with application of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK than with application of poultry manure at 10t/ha. Storage root yields obtained from 400kg/ha NPK(the check) or 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK were comparable but significantly higher than the yields from the control or agrolyser or from 200kg/ha NPK + agrolyser. Umuspo 1 variety gave higher shoot biomass and lower weed density than Umuspo 3. There was no interaction between the fertilizer combinations and variety, suggesting that the orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties responded similarly to nutrient management strategies.
/ha produced significantly higher shoot dry weight than higher plant densities. Planting at 33,33... more /ha produced significantly higher shoot dry weight than higher plant densities. Planting at 33,333 or 40,000 plants/ha gave more tubers than planting at 66,666 or 100,000 plants/ha. Averaged across two seasons, minituber yield was increased at 66,666 plants/ha than at the lower plant populations. Mean tuber yield for the two seasons also increased significantly in response to NPK fertilizer application up to 600kg/ha. Interaction effects showed that planting at 66,666 plants/ha density and NPK application at 600-800kg/ha were sufficient to give high minituber yields.
Field experiment was conducted at Akwa Ibom State University teaching and research farm during th... more Field experiment was conducted at Akwa Ibom State University teaching and research farm during the 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons to evaluate the growth and yield of cocoyam on varying rates of organic manure in a cocoyam basedintercropping system in Obio Akpa, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were four organic manure rates-PM 0 t/ha, PM 2.5 t/ha, PM 5.0 t/ha, PM 7.5 t/ha) and three crop mixtures-Sole Cocoyam, Cocoyam + Maize, Cocoyam + Melon. Result showed significant differences in both the crop mixtures and organic manure rates applied on the plant height, leaf area and stem girth of cocoyam at 2, 4, 6 months after planting respectively. Organic manure PM 2.5 t/ha gave higher plant height, leaf area and stem girth in sole cocoyam, cocoyam + maize, cocoyam + melon and cocoyam + maize + melon at 2, 4, 6 months after planting in both cropping seasons. PM 5.0 t/ha gave higher values of corm and cormels yield, corms and cormels weight, cormels number and cormels length in sole cocoyam, cocoyam + melon and cocoyam + maize + melon in both seasons. PM 2.5 t/ha gave higher values of cormels yield, weight of corm, weight of cormels and length of cormels with Cocoyam + maize. Weight of corms and weight of cormels showed significant differences (P<0.05) on crop mixtures and organic manure in both seasons respectively.
AKSU Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2022
Waterleaf (Talinum fruticosum) is a vegetable useful to millions of sub-Saharan Africans; eaten a... more Waterleaf (Talinum fruticosum) is a vegetable useful to millions of sub-Saharan Africans; eaten as a leafy vegetable and useful in herbal medicine. During the dry season waterleaf farming becomes tedious for growers because of the need to supply water to the crop. Knowledge of the adequate water requirements for waterleaf will lead to more precise application regime. This research explored a means to establish an adequate watering regime; by studying the effect of different watering regimes on growth and production of water leaf. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with 10 replications. The treatments were 4 different watering intervals of 1-day, 3-days', 5-days' and 7-days. Parameters measured were plant height, leaf number, stem circumference and above ground fresh weight (FW). There was no significant effect of watering treatment on plant height and leaf number. Average fresh weight/plant across all treatments ranged from 1.4-8.68 g/plant. There was a significant effect of watering regimes on the FW at 9 weeks after planting (P=0.026). Water application at 7-day interval produced FW of 8.68g/plant higher than the 3day interval (2.65g/plant). No difference was observed between the 1, 3 and 5-day interval of watering. This result indicated that water supply at a frequency of 1-7 days may not influence leaf production/plant or plant height but may affect the overall FW/plant which has the potential to significantly affect foliage yield. Delayed application up to 7 days showed the most promising response with regard to FW yield, implying watering at a 1-3-day interval in the dry season could decrease foliage yield.
The concept that plant pathogens cause disease by producing toxic substances dates back about a c... more The concept that plant pathogens cause disease by producing toxic substances dates back about a century. Evidence for its general validity, however, has accumulated only recently. The difficulty has been that most plant disease symptoms are the result of a complex interplay of several factors. Some pathogens, in addition to producing one or more toxins, may also excrete enzymes which degrade cell walls, causing tissue disorganization; they may destroy plant hormones, causing abnormal growth of the host; or they may physically block the water-conducting vessels of the host by their prolific growth or by production of viscous polysaccharides. Because of this complexity, proof of the role of a toxin as one of several interacting factors causing a disease symptom is often difficult to obtain, even though the presence of toxic substances in cultures of most plant pathogens is easily demonstrated. Despite these problems, our growing knowledge of the biochemistry of symptom causation clearly establishes the role of toxins as a dominant one in most plant diseases.
International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, 2022
Field experiment was conducted at University of Uyo Teaching, research farm during the 2018 and 2... more Field experiment was conducted at University of Uyo Teaching, research farm during the 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons to assess the effect of fertilization on cocoyam-based intercropping systems. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were six fertilizers rates - 0kg/ha, NPK200kg/ha, NPK400kg/ha, PM2.5t/ha, PM5.0t/ha, Mixture (NPK200kg/ha + PM2.5t/ha) and six crop mixtures - Sole Cocoyam, Sole Melon, Sole Maize, Cocoyam + Maize, Cocoyam + Melon and Cocoyam + Melon + Maize). Result analysed with analysis of variance revealed PM2.5t/ha, NPK400kg/ha and Mixture (NPK200kg/ha + PM2.5t/ha) gave higher plant height, leaf area, stem girth in sole cocoyam, maize and melon respectively. PM2.5t/ha favoured leaf area, stem girths of cocoyam, maize with cocoyam + maize, cocoyam + melon and cocoyam + melon + maize crop mixtures. PM5.0t/ha gave higher values of corm, cormels, cormels weight, cormels number and cormels length in both so...
Field experiment was carried out in the 2013 cropping season in the rainforest of southeastern Ni... more Field experiment was carried out in the 2013 cropping season in the rainforest of southeastern Nigeria to determine the effect of fertilizer combinations on the growth of two orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties. Treatments consisted of nine fertilizer combinations (0-control, 5.3kg/ha of Agrolyser, 400kg/ha of NPK, 5t/ha of poultry manure, 10t/ha of poultry manure, 200kg/ha NPK + 2.7kg/ha Agrolyser, 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK, 5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK, and 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK + 2.7kg/ha Agrolyser) and two orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties (UmuSpo 1 and UmuSpo 3) laid out as split plot in randomized complete block design. The result showed that more branches were produced from 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK than from 5.4kg/ha Agrolyser or no fertilizer application at all sampling dates. Similarly, application of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK produced significantly higher fresh shoot weight than 400kg/ha NPK or 5.4kg/ha Agrolyser or no fertilizer application. At 8WAP, application of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK gave higher fresh storage root weight than application of Agrolyser at 5.4kg/ha. However, at 12WAP, application of 10t/ha poultry manure gave higher root weight than other treatments except 5t/ha poultry manure. UmuSpo 1 variety gave higher number of branches, leaf area index, fresh shoot weight, and fresh root weight than UmuSpo 3.
International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, Mar 10, 2022
The study was conducted in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons at the research farm of Akwa Ibom State... more The study was conducted in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons at the research farm of Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa, Nigeria to examine the effects of nutrient management, vine cutting time and variety on growth, yield and quality of sweetpotato. The experiment was laid out as split-split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that a combination of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK fertilizer or poultry manure alone significantly increased vine length, number of branches/plant, shoot dry matter and fresh shoot biomass compared to application of 400kg/ha inorganic NPK fertilizer alone and the no fertilizer application. The highest storage root yield and carotenoid content were obtained from combined application of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha NPK fertilizer. A mixture of manure and fertilizer also significantly reduced decay of storage roots. No vine cutting significantly increased fresh shoot biomass but reduced carotenoid content compared to cutting at 16 or 17 WAP, while date of cutting had no effect on storage root yield. Sweetpotato variety white-fleshed TIS 87/0087 had significantly higher fresh shoot biomass and storage root yield than orange-fleshed Umuspo 3 but carotenoid content was higher in the latter than the former.
Uploads
Papers by Fidel E Ben
and Leaf Area Index (LAI) also increased with higher fertilizer application, though these differences were not statistically significant. The 10t/ha PM treatment yielded the highest biomass and storage root production, although yield differences were not statistically significant. Overall, the application of 10t/ha PM demonstrated the most substantial positive
impact on sweetpotato growth and yield, suggesting its potential for Improving sweetpotato cultivation in similar soil conditions.
and Leaf Area Index (LAI) also increased with higher fertilizer application, though these differences were not statistically significant. The 10t/ha PM treatment yielded the highest biomass and storage root production, although yield differences were not statistically significant. Overall, the application of 10t/ha PM demonstrated the most substantial positive
impact on sweetpotato growth and yield, suggesting its potential for Improving sweetpotato cultivation in similar soil conditions.