Comparative Effect of Chemical and Organic Amendments on Telfairia Occidentals in Coastal Plain Sands Derived Soil

Abstract

The present study was conducted during the 2016/2017 cropping season, to compare the effect of chemical fertilizer, organic manures and wood ash as amendments and their combinations on the soil chemical properties and performance of Telfairia occidentalis. The treatments were; (i) Control, (ii) 200 kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer,(iii) 5 tonnes/hectre (t/ha) wood ash, (iv) 5 t/ha poultry manure, (v) 100 kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 + 2.5 t/ha wood ash, (vi) 100 kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 + 2.5 t/ha poultry manure, and (vii) 100 kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 + 1.25 t/ha wood ash + 1.25 t/ha poultry manure. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The growth and yield parameters were measured at 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 weeks after planting (WAP ). Results of the chemical properties, lead to better performance on the test crop. The combined application of 100 kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 + 1.25 t/ha wood ash + 1.25 t/ha poultry manure give the highest value for most of the parameters studied . The fresh vegetable yield of fluted pumpkin was significantly (P<0.05) increased across all stages of growth as a result of the amendments relative to the control. The highest yield of 4.78 t/ha at 18 WAP was obtained from the combination of 100 kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 + 1.25 t/ha wood ash + 1.25 t/ha poultry manure. The use of 100 kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 + 1.25 t/ha wood ash + 1.25 t/ha poultry manure is recommended for soil fertility improvements and fluted pumpkin fresh vegetable yield in the study area.