Effect of ash and goat dung manure on leaf nutrients composition, growth and yield of Amaranthus

Abstract

Three field experiments were conducted to examine the separate and combined effects of wood ash and goat dung manure on leaf nutrients composition, growth and yield of Amaranthus cruentus at Akure, Southwest Nigeria. The treatments compared were: no treatment, 2t/ha goat dung, 2t/ha ash + 2t/ha dung, 2t/ha ash + 4t/ha dung, 2t/ha ash + 6t/ha dung, and 2t/ha ash + 8t/ha dung. Application of 2t/ha ash, 8t/ha goat dung, and combined application of ash and different quantities of goat dung to soil increased leaf N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents significantly compared with no treatment. Separate application of 8t/ha dung, and combined application of 2t/ha ash with each of 2, 4, 6 and 8t/ha dung increased number and yield of leaves, leaf area and number of branches significantly compared with no treatment. Ash and goat dung complement each other as to their effects on nutrients contents, growth and yield of amaranthus. Addition of 2t/ha ash to 8t/ha dung increased stem weight and leaf yield by 68 and 54% respectively. Combined application of 2t/ha ash and 8t/ha dung gave 513 and 342% increase in stem weight and leaf yield respectively compared with no treatment.

[Niger Agric. J. 33 (2002): 46-49]