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Mar 30, 2024Keywords:
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Integration of NPK 15:15:15 Fertilizer and Poultry Manure on Production and Profitability of Orange Flesh Sweetpotato/Garden Egg Intercrop in Rain Forest Zone of Nigeria
Abstract
The study was conducted at National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike farm in two cropping seasons, to determine optimum organic and inorganic fertilizer rates for orange flesh sweetpotato (OFSP)/garden egg intercrop. The experiment was 2 x 3 x 2 factorial in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of sweetpotato and garden egg applied sole and intercropped together, three rates of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (0kg/ha, 300kg/ha, 600kg/ha), two levels of poultry manure (5t and10t/ha). Data were collected on soil physico-chemical, growth and yield attributes and using. Results indicated that intercrop significantly (P<0.05) reduced garden egg growth but did not affect most sweetpotato attributes. Garden egg fruit yield and orange-fleshed sweetpotato root yield were reduced by intercropping. Application of fertilizer at 300kg/ha and poultry manure at 5t/ha increased garden egg fruit yield while application of 300kg/ha NPK fertilizer increased sweetpotato. The land Equivalent Ratio in all the crop mixtures was above unity (1) with the application of 300kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer + 5t/ha PM giving the best result. This treatment was the best, based on gross monetary returns.
