Authors: O.O. Adesanwo, M.T. Adetunji, J.K. Adesanwo, O.A. Osiname, S.Diatta and D.O. Torimiro
American-Eurasian Journal of Agronomy 2 (2): 45-49, 2009
Abstract:
Management of soil fertility is one of the major factors limiting sustainable production of rice in Nigeria. A survey was carried out to identify farmers’ soil fertility management methods and its impact on soil properties, to introduce them to soil testing programme and a low cost soil fertility management method.
Structured questionnaire was distributed to 55 rice famers in southwestern Nigeria. Soil samples were also taken from selected farmers’ field to determine the effect of their fertility management methods on soil properties. The effectiveness of a low cost method was tested on two farmers’ field using a local variety (Ofada) common with rice farmers and improved variety ITA 150. Legume treatment consisted of cowpea and mucuna planted as pre-rice crop. Four rates of Ogun phosphate rock was uniformly spread on the plots with and without legume biomass arranged in split plot design. NPK at 60kg haG1 was applied as control. Result of the survey showed that soil fertility methods practiced by rice farmers interviewed can neither sustain nor improve soil fertility. There was no significant difference in rice yield between plots treated with NPK (2.96 tons haG1) and combination of legume and rock phosphate at 60 kg P haG1 (2.94 tons haG1) at Ayiwere similar result was obtained with plots treated with cowpea and phosphate rock at 60 kg haG1 at Ikenne. Hence the use Ogun phosphate rock as low cost P fertilizer for optimal and sustainable crop production when combined with legume biomass on slightly acidic to lightly alkaline soils is feasible.
Key words: Participatory Approach, Phosphate rock, Soil fertility, Soil testing programme