Original Research Article
Response of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) to NPK doses on lateritic soil in Southern rainforest of Nigeria
Ansa, Joseph Etim Okon |
Article Number: DRJA209158136
DOI:
ISSN: 2354-4147
Vol.3 (12), pp. 232-235, December 201 5
Copyright © 2015
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
Abstract
Pot experiment was conducted in the teaching and research farm of the department of Agricultural Science Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt to determine the effect of NPK 15:15:15 doses on the performance of Kenaf. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized designed with NPK levels (0 g, 3 g, 6 g, 9 g, 12 g, per pot) as treatment repeated 12 times to produce 60 experimental units. Data collected were weekly plant height, stalk (stem) fresh weight, stem thickness (girth size), number of leaves, leaf area (LA) and leaf area index (LAI); Total dry matter (DM), stalk dry weight, core dry weight and bark (bast) dry weight. Reproductive Parameters measured were, number of flowers, number of pods, number of days to fruiting, average number of seeds per pot/treatment, total seed number per treatment. Results indicate that plant height increased with NPK rates. Girth, LA and LAI were significantly influenced by NPK doses; 9 g NPK rate produced kenaf plants that were 40% taller, 2 times wider girth, and a ratio 10:1 LAI over the control plants. Stalk, core and bark dry weights were all due to NPK levels (Fcal 0.75*, 1.85*, and 0.80* respectively) at P<0.5. Control Plants did not produce flowers or sett seed. Number of flowers, pod and seed varied positively with NPK application. In all parameters measures, there was positive and increasing influence of NPK rate from 0 to 9 g per seedling, after which response began to decline. 9 g NPK equivalent to about 51 kg/ha is recommended for Kenaf production on lateritic soil in southern rainforest zone.
Key words: Kenaf, Laterite soil, Fertilizer, Growth, Fiber crop
Received: November 2, 2015 Accepted: November 13, 2015 Published: December 30, 2015