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Published:
Nov 21, 2014Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Comparative assessment of the effect of <i>Moringa</i> extracts, NPK fertilizer and poultry manure on soil properties and growth performance of garden egg (<i>Solanium menlongina</i>) in Abuja, Nigeria
Abstract
The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera extracts, NPK fertilizer and Poultry manure on Soil properties and growth performance of Solanium melongena in the Giri area of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replicates was used. Data collected include pre-planting composite soil analysis, post-harvest soil analyses, height per plant and number of fruits per plant, number of branches per plant and fruit yield. In the 2 years of the experiment, application of the Moringa extracts on the soil properties and growth performance of Solanum melongena was significant. Soil pH was improved from 5.4 to 6.7 with application of Moringa extracts. In both 2012 and 2013, highest fruit yields (9.5 t ha -1 in 2013 and 10.5 t ha -1 in 2013) were obtained from stands of garden egg that received Moringa leaf extract combined with NPK fertilizer applied at the rate of 100 kg ha -1 . The yield of the crop was also improved by application of poultry manure though not significantly different from those given the solution obtained by soaking the bark and cut branches of Moringa stands. In all, the poorest results were obtained from the control plots. Having found that Moringa is a good growth enhancer, the study therefore recommends that Moringa which is readily available to be used as a substitute to chemical fertilizers that are usually scarce and costly.
Keywords: Comparative, Moringa oleifera, Extract, Poultry manure, Decoction, NPK Fertilizer.
