Abstract
Field research was conducted at the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm in 2003 to determine the effect of goat and poultry manure application on selected soil Physico-Chemical properties, and yield of garden egg (Solanum melongena).The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replicates. Animal manure treatments were applied at 4 levels; Control [O t/ha], Goat Manure GM [lO t/ha], Poultry manure PM. [lO t/ha], and GM+ PM [5+5 t/ha] applied at 4 weeks after transplanting (WAT). Soil Samples were collected at 0-20 cm depth from treated plots at 1, and 3 months after transplanting [MAT] for laboratory analysis. Soil parameters analysed were; pH, organic matter, total Nitrogen, available Phosphorus, exchangeable Potassium, Calcium, Cation exchange capacity and base saturation percentage. Plant parameters sampled were; plant height urn), number of branches and leaves per plant, leaf area index (cm),and fruit yield (kg/ha).The result showed that poultry, goat manure and their combination [GM+PM] generally increased soil pH, with a range of 5.48-5.72 from initial pH of 4.24 in control plot. Poultry manure treatment alone, increased soil pH up to 5.87 representing 35.44 percent, and soil organic matter status by 6.66 % representing 126.53 percent over control respectively. Application of goat manure alone increased soil total Nitrogen status by 0.24 % representing 166.67 percent over control. Application of GM and PM alone improved base saturation percentage generally with PM giving a higher percent over control, application ot GM, PM alone and their combination significantly affected garden egg fruit yield.
Keywords:
application
properties
melongena
selected
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