Authors: Samson Adeola Odedina, Joy Nwakaego Odedina, Stephen Olusola Ojeniyi, Funmi Akinlana
Journal of Life Sciences 6 (2012) 1003-1007 September 30, 2012.
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted to determine the response of a newly released cassava variety (TMS 98/0510) in Nigeria to three sources of organic manure (poultry waste, pig dung and goat dung
at 10 t/ha), two levels inorganic fertilizer (N:P:K 15:15:15 at 200 and 400 kg/ha) and a control treatment. The six treatments were compared in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on yields and yield related agronomic and morphological traits. Data were also collected on soil nutrient content at planting and the content of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in the leaf stem and roots. The results showed that the soil used in this experiment was low in organic matter and other nutrients except available P. Inorganic and organic fertilizers significantly increased leaf area, however yield and growth related traits like plant height, number of leaves, stem yield, tuber girth, number of roots and harvest index were not significantly different among the treatments. Contrary to expectations manure and fertilizer treatments did not increase fresh root yield in this cassava variety. They did not also influence the content of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in the stem, leaf and root. This response suggests that cassava varieties bred for farmers’ conditions in Nigeria, which are inherently low in soil nutrients, may not respond to additional nutrient input. Breeders should therefore select cassava for dual adaptation to low and high nutrient levels in the soil to meet the needs of a wider spectrum of farmers and to justify government and extension support for the use of input by farmers in Nigeria.