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COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF AQUEOUS MORINGA EXTRACTS (LEAF AND POD) AS FOLLIAR FERTILIZER ON COCOYAM YIELD
Abstract
The use of aqueous moringa extract (leaf and pod) as a foliar fertilizer was studied in the cocoyam research farm,
National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State. The study was aimed at determining the effect of
the extracts on the yield of two cultivars of Cocoyam. Extracts were produced by milling moringa leaf and pod
separately, and diluted with water at the ratios of 1:1 and 2:1(v/v) each. The experimental design was a 5x2
factorial in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. The factors are; five treatments (control,
AMPE 1:1, AMPE 2:1, AMLE 1:1 and AMLE 2:1), and two Cocoyam cultivars (NCe 001 and 012). Each
replicate had 10 treatment combinations. Treatments were applied on plant leaves at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after
planting. Data collected were growth (number of plant stands at harvest), and yield (weight and number of corms
and cormels). The results indicate that the AMPE gave better yield than AMLE. When compared with the control,
all the treatments gave higher yield, with AMPE 2:1 having higher yield of about 20% on NCe 012 and AMPE 1:1
with about 50% on NCe 001. Amongst the two cultivars, there were significant differences in their yield, with
better performance from NCe 012. Results showed that moringa extract can be considered as a good organic
foliar fertilizer for enhanced yield of Cocoyam. This is attributed to its composition of growth hormones and
nutrients which are present in sufficient quantities and suitable proportions, capable of increasing growth and
yield of various crops.
