Effect of cow dung and poultry droppings on nutrients uptake, growth and yield of garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum) in Obubra rainforest zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during the cropping seasons of 2006 and 2007 at the teaching and research farm of the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Obubra – Nigeria, to determine the effect of
cow dung and poultry droppings on nutrients uptake, growth and yield of garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum). Treatments comprised four levels of cow dung as follows: (0, 10, 20 and 30 t/ha) and four levels of poultry droppings: (0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha). These were factorially combined to give sixteen treatment combinations and arranged into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The parameters measured were; plant height, number of branches per plant, shoot dry matter, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield (kg/ha). Applications of cow
dung at 30 t/ha in 2006 and 20 to 30 t/ha in 2007 produced the tallest plants with highest number of branches, highest number of fruits and highest fruit yield. Application of poultry droppings at 15 t/ha produced tallest plants with highest number of branches, highest number of fruits per plant and fruit yield per unit area. Combined application of cow dung
at 30 t/ha and poultry droppings at 15 t/ha produced tallest plants, highest number of branches, highest number of fruits per plant and fruit yield.