Effect of Poultry Manure, Cow Dung and Npk 15:15:15 on Okro
EFFECT OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZER ON OKRO
CHAPTER ONE (1) 1.1 INTRODUCTION
Okra was domesticated in West and Central Africa (Cobley and Steele, 1976) and known as ‘Okro’ in the Anglophone African countries as a fast growing common annual vegetable widely consumed in Africa (Schippers, 2000). It is one of the numerous vegetable crops cultivated in Nigeria (Anon, 1989) where a total of 1 – 2 million hectares annually are put under cultivation (Anon, 1980, Fmawrrd, 1980). Thus, it is in a great demand in tropical countries (Greensil,1976). Fig. 1.0 a picture of an okro plant
Okro requires a moderate rainfall of 80 – 100 cm well distributed to produce its young edible fruits over a relatively long period. An average temperature of 20°c to 30°c is considered optimum for growth, flowering and fruiting. (Rice et. al. 1987, Sionet et.al. 1981). Soil type does not appear to influence growth or development to any marked extent as a wide range of soil types has been found suitable.
Nutrients naturally found in soil are very essential for the growth of plants. However, sometimes these nutrients in the soil might not be sufficient to stimulate the plant growth. This is where fertilizers, the nutrient supplements for plant come handy. There are two types of fertilizers which are mostly used by plant and they are organic and inorganic fertilizer.
Organic manure is a soil fertility boosting material which is naturally obtained from the decomposition of any living specie or material. Organic manure is relatively cheaper than any fertilizer on the market. Cow dung and poultry manure are mostly used by farmers who engage in mixed farming, so in effect there is no or little waste generated.
Research has shown that even though cow dung and poultry droppings are high in organic matter and also rich in nutrients, its composition on the basis of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (n.p.k) which is
CHAPTER ONE (1) 1.1 INTRODUCTION
Okra was domesticated in West and Central Africa (Cobley and Steele, 1976) and known as ‘Okro’ in the Anglophone African countries as a fast growing common annual vegetable widely consumed in Africa (Schippers, 2000). It is one of the numerous vegetable crops cultivated in Nigeria (Anon, 1989) where a total of 1 – 2 million hectares annually are put under cultivation (Anon, 1980, Fmawrrd, 1980). Thus, it is in a great demand in tropical countries (Greensil,1976). Fig. 1.0 a picture of an okro plant
Okro requires a moderate rainfall of 80 – 100 cm well distributed to produce its young edible fruits over a relatively long period. An average temperature of 20°c to 30°c is considered optimum for growth, flowering and fruiting. (Rice et. al. 1987, Sionet et.al. 1981). Soil type does not appear to influence growth or development to any marked extent as a wide range of soil types has been found suitable.
Nutrients naturally found in soil are very essential for the growth of plants. However, sometimes these nutrients in the soil might not be sufficient to stimulate the plant growth. This is where fertilizers, the nutrient supplements for plant come handy. There are two types of fertilizers which are mostly used by plant and they are organic and inorganic fertilizer.
Organic manure is a soil fertility boosting material which is naturally obtained from the decomposition of any living specie or material. Organic manure is relatively cheaper than any fertilizer on the market. Cow dung and poultry manure are mostly used by farmers who engage in mixed farming, so in effect there is no or little waste generated.
Research has shown that even though cow dung and poultry droppings are high in organic matter and also rich in nutrients, its composition on the basis of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (n.p.k) which is