EFFECT OF ORGANIC MANURE ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF AMARANTH (Amaranthus cruentus)

Abstract

Low soil fertility status is a major constraint to sustainable crop production in the humid tropics, thus necessitating the need for regular external fertilizer input. The effect of organic manure on the growth and yield of Amaranth (Amaranathus cruentus) was evaluated. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching, Demonstration and Research (TDR) farm of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, during 2020 cropping season and was laid out in randomized completed block design (RCBD). The treatment comprised of four different organic manures (cow, goat, pig and poultry dungs) and a control plot (plot without organic manure). Each treatment was replicated three times and the parameters measured were: Plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, stem girth, leaf area, fresh weight of leaves and leaf yield. The results showed that poultry manure significantly increased the plant height, number of leaves and branches, fresh weight of leaves and leaf yield. Application of poultry manure was found to be the best organic manure for maximizing number of leaves and branches with approximately 81 leaves and 11 branches, respectively and leaf yield of 133.20tons/ha. Control plots (non-organic manure plots) consistently gave the least values on all the parameters measured. However, it is recommended that farmers at Unwana who intend to embark on massive Amaranth should apply poultry manure for maximum production of its leaves.