Abstract
Experiments were conducted between 2007 and 2008 to determine the optimum rate of organic fertilizer (OF) for okra production and to evaluate residual effects of OF on soil physical properties. Six different rates of OF; 0 kg N ha-1 , 60 kg N ha-1 , 80 kg N ha-1 , 100 kg N ha-1 , 120 kg N ha-1 and 140 kg N ha-1 were replicated five times in a Randomized Complete Block Design on an Alfisol in the sub humid region of Southern Nigeria. Plots that received OF at the rates of 100, 120 and 140 kg Nha-1 were significantly (P< 0.05) lower in bulk density values than control. Fresh pod weight obtained from 100 kg Nha-1 plots was higher than 120 and 140 kg Nha-1 plots by 13.56 and 11.44%, respectively. The increase in net profit over control by OF applied at the rates of 100, 120 and 140 kg Nha-1 was 35.3%, 20.7% and 19.9%, respectively; suggesting that break-even was achieved when 100 kg Nha-1 was applied
Keywords:
physical properties
organic fertilizer
optimum rate
crop yield
economics.
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