Abstract

Residue quality is a huge determinant of how effective different fertilizers are on soil and crop plants. The aims of this study was to compare the effect of different fertilizer types on soil physical properties, growth and yield of okra {Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (LD 88-1)} in southwest Nigeria. Field experiments were conducted during the cropping seasons of 2012 and 2013 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with seven treatments replicated three times. The treatments of the experiments were: control (i.e. no fertilizer application), 20 tons ha^-1 poultry manure, 150 kg ha^-1 N.P.K 15:15:15, 120 kg ha^-1 Organomineral fertilizer, 120 kg ha^-1 N.P.K.MgO (12:12:17 + 2% MgO), 20 tons ha^-1 poultry manure + 150 kg ha^-1 N.P.K.15:15:15 and 20 tons ha^-1 poultry manure + 120 kg ha^-1 N.P.K.MgO (12:12:17:2%MgO). The results of the study showed that application of fertilizers gave significant (p=0.05) increase in plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, number of branches and yield. At 8 weeks after treatment application (8WATA), 20 tons ha^-1 poultry manure + 150 kg ha^-1 NPK 15:15:15 gave the highest values in plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, number of branches and yield of okra. In 2013, application of 20 tons ha^-1 poultry manure + 150 kg ha^-1 NPK 15:15:15 had lowest or reduced bulk density (1.47 g/cm³), increase in total porosity (44.53 %) and gravimetric moisture content (20.93 %) compared to control. This result suggests that incorporation of organic and inorganic fertilizers into cropping systems will increase productivity and yield (t/ha) of okra. Hence, for improvement in soil physical properties and increase yield of okra, application of 20 tons ha^-1 poultry manure + 150 kg ha^-1 NPK 15:15:15 may be recommended for the production of okra.

Key Words: Bulk density, Total Porosity, Growth, Yield, Organic, Organomineral fertilizer

DOI: https://ejesm.org/doi/v13i1.4