DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2016.v03i03.010

Pages: 212-218

The combined effect of Poultry manure, Pig slurry and NPK fertilizer as integrated nutrient on soil fertility and on the growth and yield of Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) were examined on a tropical Alfisol, under field conditions at the Teaching and Research Farm of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Nigeria, in 2014. The experiment was laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having three replicates of eight treatments. The treatments applied were: i. Poultry droppings (PD) at 5t ha-1 ii. Pig slurry (PS) at 5t ha-1 iii. NPK 15-15-15 (NPK) at 250kg ha-1 iv. Control (CT) v. Poultry droppings and Pig slurry (PDPS) at 2.5 t ha-1 eachvi. Poultry droppings and NPK 15-15-15 (PDNPK) at 2.5 t ha-1 and 125kg ha-1 respectively vii. Pig slurry and NPK 15-15-15 (PSNPK) at 2.5 t ha-1 and 125kg ha-1 respectively viii. Poultry droppings, Pig slurry and NPK 15-15-15 (PDPSNPK) at 1.67 t ha-1, 1.67 t ha-1 and 83.3 kg ha-1 respectively. The soil of the experimental site was sampled for analysis before planting and after planting. Growth parameters such as plant’s height, stem girth and yield were measured at 3, 4 and 5 weeks after planting (WAP). At 55 days after planting (DAP), the plants were sampled for chlorophyll test and leaf area determination. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were separated using Duncan multiple range test at 5% probability level. The results showed that plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, chlorophyll and yield were significantly influenced by the application of soil fertility replenishment treatments. At 5 weeks after planting (WAP), the plant height recorded were 44.13cm, 53.30cm, 49.46cm, 30.66cm, 53.73cm, 44.80cm, 54.40cm and 45.60cm for PD, PS, NPK, CT, PDPS, PDNPK, PSNPK and PDPSNPK respectively while the yield recorded were 1.33t ha-1, 1.62t ha-1, 1.07t ha-1, 0.40t ha-1, 1.56t ha-1, 1.36t ha-1, 1.86t ha-1, and 1.53t ha-1 for PD, PS, NPK, CT, PDPS, PDNPK, PSNPK and PDPSNPK respectively.