Effects of fertilizer types and varying population on the performance of Cocoyam

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in 2001 and 2002 cropping seasons, at the University of Ibadan Teaching and Research Farm to evaluate the influence of fertilizer types and varying populations on the performance of cocoyam. The results obtained indicated that the leaf area and cormel yield parameters were all significantly affected by fertilizer types and varying populations. On the two-year averages,the significant percentage increases in the length of cocoyam cormel under fertilizer types were 67, 93 and 148% by inorganic, organic and inorganic + organic fertilizers, respectively. The significant percentage decreases in the length of cocoyam cormels under varying populations of 10,000, 20,000 and 40,000 plants/ha, were 23, 32 and 58%, respectively. The significant percentage increases in the fresh cocoyam cormel weight under fertilizer types were 36, 65 and 107% for inorganic, organic and inorganic + organic fertilizers, respectively. On the two-year averages, the significant percentage decreases in cocoyam cormel weight under varying populations of 10,000, 20,000 and 40,000 plants/ha, were 27, 40 and 52%, respectively. Pooled over the two years, the significant percentage increases in the cocoyam corm weight under fertilizer types were 35, 78 and 143% for inorganic, organic and inorganic + organic fertilizers, respectively. Pooled over the two years, the significant percentage decreases in cocoyam corm weight under varying populations were 23, 43 and 59% for 10,000, 20,000 and 40,000 plants/ha, respectively.

Keywords: cocoyam, Zanthosoma sagittifolium, cormel, fertilizer types

Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 5(1) 2004: 7-12