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Published:
May 31, 2018Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Effect of incorporating NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer with cow dung on growth, yield and economics of ginger production in rain forest zone of Nigeria
Abstract
This study was conducted at the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike experimental field to determine the effects of incorporation of cow dung and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer on ginger yield and economics of production. The treatment factors comprise of four rates of cow dung, 0 t/ha, 4 t/ha, 8 t/ha and 12 t/ha and four rates of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (0 kg/ha, 100kg/ha, 200 kg/ha and 300 kg/ha). Results obtained indicate that incorporation of cow dung and NPK 15:15:15 significantly (P<0.05) enhanced tiller and leaf production. Maximum yield of ginger when cow dung was applied sole was 6.98t/ha at the rate of 12t/ha of cow dung while maximum yield when NPK 15:15:15 was applied soil was 5.64t/ha at the rate of 200kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15. The incorporation of NPK 15:15:15 and cow dung increases yield of ginger significantly. For optimum yield in ginger production the combination of cow dung and NPK 15:15:15 at the rate of 8t/ha and 200kg/ha respectively was recommended. The gross margin analysis showed that applying cow dung alone at 12t/ha gave the maximum return on investment of 58% and NPK 15:15:15 applied as sole had the maximum return on investment of 17% at the rate of 200kg/ha. The optimum gross margin (₦989.53/ha) with return on investment of 62% was obtained from incorporation of 8t/ha of cow dung and NPK 15:15:15 at 200kg/ha. Based on productivity and gross margin analysis, the study recommends the incorporation of cow dung and NPK 15:15:15 at the rates of 8t/ha and 200kg/ha respectively to improve yield and profitability of ginger production.
Keywords: Gross margin, Inorganic Leaves, manure, Organic manure, Tillers and Zingiber officinale
