Fortified cassava peel compost amendment for Amaranthus: Influence on plant growth,nutrients uptake and on soil nutrient changes |
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Authors: | E. A. Makinde A. W. Salau |
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Affiliation: | Department of Horticulture, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria |
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Abstract: | Nutrient supply through organic sources usually requires fortification for timely and optimum release of plant nutrients to achieve optimum crop performance. A pot experiment was conducted in a screen house to determine the optimum rate of cassava peel compost (CPC) fortification that supports optimum Amaranthus (Amaranthus cruentus L.) plant nutrient contents and residual soil nutrient contents. A compost of cassava peel and poultry manure was applied at 2.5; 5.0 and 7.5 t ha?1each complemented with either 25 or 50 kg nitrogen (N), using nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) 20-10-10 at 2 weeks before sowing Amaranthus. An unfertilized treatment served as control. Seeds were sown in plastic containers with a surface diameter of 24 cm filled with 5 kg soil, with a drain underneath. Seedlings were thinned to 4 plants/pot 2 weeks after planting. Plants were harvested at 5 weeks by ratooning and plant re-growth also harvested after 5 weeks. Soil pH was lower with high rates of 5.0 and 7.5 t ha?1 CPC while the organic matter content was increased with increased CPC rate. Soil N was reduced but reflected in increased plant shoot and root N, with compost application. Soil P was generally increased but was not reflected in plant contents. Soil K contents were reduced and were reflected in increased plant contents. Application of 2.5 t ha?1 CPC, fortified with either 25 or 50 kg N ha?1 gave the optimum Amaranthus shoot nutrient contents with optimum residual soil nutrient contents. |
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Keywords: | Amaranthus cruentus. L. cassava wastes utilization nutrient contents |
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