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Apr 30, 2020Keywords:
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Main Article Content
EFFECT OF INTEGRATED FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT ON THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF ORANGE FLESHED SWEETPOTATO IN RAIN FOREST AGRO ECOLOGY OF NIGERIA
Abstract
The study was conducted at the Research Farm of National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike, Nigeria. The
experiment was a 5x4 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatment comprise
of five levels of composite manure (Pig manure, cowdung and poultry manure) applied at the rate of 0, 2, 4, 6 and
8t/ha and mineral fertilizer (NPK 15:15:15) applied at the rate of 0, 200, 400 and 600kg/ha and replicated three
times and data collected subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results of the study showed that application
of composite manure significantly (p<0.05) increased number of leaves, number of branches and vine length at
different sampling periods. Combined application of mineral fertilizer and composite manure significantly
increased the total and marketable root yield with application of 4t/ha composite manure + 400kg/ha mineral
fertilizer giving the highest total root yield of 15.90t/ha and marketable root yield of 13.97t/ha. Cost of production
increased with increased rate of the treatment combinations. Application of 4t/ha composite manure + 400kg/ha
mineral fertilizer gave the highest value of production (₦477,000) highest net return (₦391,370). The highest
return on investment (22.02) was recorded with application of 2t/ha composite manure. From the results
obtained, Sweet potato farmers will maximize profits and minimize costs with the application of 2t/ha of
composite manure despite 4t/ha composite manure + 400kg/ha mineral fertilizer recording the best root yield.
