Original Research Article
Effect of Zinc Application Rates on Manihot esculenta Yield Grown in Coastal Plain Sand Soils of Nigeria
Ugwu, Chris C. |
Asawalam, Damian O. |
*Eteng, Ernest U. |
Article Number: DRJAFS3264507360
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3307689
ISSN: 2354-4147
Vol.7 (7), pp. 192-198, July 2019
Copyright © 2019
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
Abstract
Two experiments at greenhouse and field scale were undertaken to determine the optimum rate of zinc sulphate for cassava tuber production in coastal plain sand derived soil of southeastern Nigeria. The results of greenhouse experiment showed that the application of Zn into the soils significantly (P < 0.05) increased cassava dry matter production, concentration, uptake and tuber yields. The estimated optimum rates for Zn under greenhouse environments were established at 7 kg Zn ha−1 for Zn uptake of cassava shoots. Also established were optimum Zn levels of 12, 13 and 15 kg Zn ha−1, and maximum cassava tuber yields, respectively. In conclusion, it is recommended that application of zinc sulphate at a rate of 15 kg Zn ha−1 is essential for cassava production (t ha-1) at coastal plain sand derived soils of southeast agro-ecological zone of Nigeria.
Keywords: Cassava, coastal plain sand, nutrient uptake, optimum yield, tuber yield and Zn levelsReceived: June 15, 2019 Accepted: July 9, 2019 Published: July 30, 2019