2026· Journal of Agriculture and Environment· 0 citations
Abstract
Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a staple crop in semi-arid Nigeria, but its productivity is constrained by poor soil fertility. While inorganic NPK fertilizers can boost yields, their long-term use may degrade soil health. Organic alternatives like Gliricidia sepium remain underutilized despite their potential to improve soil quality. A field experiment was conducted at the Dryland Teaching and Research Farm, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, during the 2025 cropping season. The treatments comprised: T₁ (NPK 15 g plant⁻¹), T₂ (Gliricidia-based organic fertilizer 100 g plant⁻¹), T₃ (50 g Gliricidia + 7.5 g NPK plant⁻¹), and T₄ (control). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Data were collected on growth parameters, yield components, and post-harvest soil physicochemical properties. Analysis of variance was used to test treatment effects at p<0.05. Fertilizer application significantly (p<0.05) influenced millet growth at later stages. Plants treated with Gliricidia (T₂ and T₃) were significantly taller at 9 and 12 weeks after planting and produced more tillers than the NPK-only and control treatments. Although not statistically significant (p<0.05), the sole Gliricidia treatment (T₂) gave the highest grain yield (1.05 t ha⁻¹), representing a 48% increase over the control (0.71 t ha⁻¹). Post-harvest soil analysis showed that Gliricidia-amended plots had significantly higher pH (6.40) compared to the NPK-only plots (6.31). Available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium were significantly higher in the NPK treatment, while total nitrogen remained unaffected across treatments. Gliricidia-based organic fertilizer effectively enhances millet growth and shows strong potential for improving grain yield while buffering soil pH against acidification. It is recommended as a sustainable nutrient management option for smallholder farmers in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria.
Mungbean (Vigna radiata), an important pulse crop for nutritional security in India, often exhibits low productivity due to poor soil fertility and imbalanced nutrient management. A field experiment was conducted during the Zaid season of 2024 at the Students Instructional Farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, to evaluate the effect of foliar nutrition and nano-fertilizers on growth, yield and protein content. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with eight treatments and three replications. Plant population remained non-significant across treatments, with the highest values recorded under 75% NPK + nano urea at 25 DAS + nano DAP at 40 DAS (22.89 plants m⁻² at 30 DAS and 22.52 plants m⁻² at harvest). Growth parameters were significantly improved under this treatment, recording the highest plant height (49.87 cm), number of branches per plant (5.84), dry matter accumulation (14.62 g plant⁻¹), number of root nodules (18.76 plant⁻¹), and nodule dry weight (0.42 g plant⁻¹). Yield attributes were also maximized, including pods per plant (14.58), seeds per pod (8.94), pod length (6.49 cm), seed weight per plant (3.98 g), and pod weight per plant (5.24 g), while test weight was non-significant but highest (41.17 g). Consequently, the same treatment produced the highest biological yield (1877.21 kg ha⁻¹), seed yield (713.14 kg ha⁻¹), protein content (24.07%), and protein yield (204.51 kg ha⁻¹). The findings indicate that integrating 75% recommended NPK with foliar application of nano urea and nano DAP enhances nutrient use efficiency, improves growth and yield attributes, and offers a sustainable strategy for increasing mungbean productivity and quality.
S. Anuraj, S. Dhruvendra, S. Prashun et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2022 and 2023 at Dr. BRC Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Mandor, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effect of biofertilisers and growth-promoting microorganisms on growth, yield, and profitability of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, var. GM-4) under the mungbean–wheat cropping system. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with ten treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of different combinations of the recommended dose of fertilisers and seed inoculation, soil application, or combined seed and soil application of Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB). The results indicated that growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield, biological yield, and economic returns were significantly influenced by the treatments. The greatest numerical plant heights at 30 DAS (46.8 cm) and 45 DAS (55.9 cm) were recorded under T₁₀, while T₅ recorded comparable values of 45.8 and 55.3 cm, respectively. The highest numbers of pods per plant (39.6) and seeds per pod (13.5), dry matter production (3.50 t ha⁻¹), and test weight (48.1 g) were observed under T₅, whereas the highest numerical chlorophyll content (4.00 mg g⁻¹) was recorded under T₁₀. The highest grain yield (pooled: 1458 kg ha⁻¹) and net return (₹98,855 ha⁻¹) were recorded with 100% RDF (T₅), whereas 75% RDF combined with seed and soil application of Rhizobium + PSB (T₁₀) produced a pooled grain yield of 1400 kg ha⁻¹ and a B:C ratio of 4.41, remaining statistically at par with T₅. Thus, integrated use of biofertilisers with 75% RDF can reduce fertiliser requirement without significant yield loss and improve profitability.
A. Verma, M. Mehriya, Ashish Vishnawat· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
Although nutrient management plays a crucial role in determining the productivity of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), comparative information on the effectiveness of organic and inorganic nutrient sources under local conditions is still scarce. A field experiment was conducted during the 2024, Rabi season at Khairahani, Chitwan, to evaluate the effects of different nutrient sources on growth, yield, and profitability of barley var. Mustangey Jau. Using a randomized complete block design with five treatments-controls, chemical fertilizer NPK, poultry manure, farmyard manure, and vermicompost-each replicated four times, significant differences were observed in plant height, leaf area index, effective tillers, and grain yield. NPK fertilizer produced the highest plant height (94.80 cm), leaf area index (0.18), effective tillers (6.52), and grain yield (1.69 t/ha), followed by poultry manure and vermicompost. Organic sources improved growth over the control but yielded less than NPK. Economic analysis showed NPK achieved the highest net return and benefit-cost ratio (2.19), followed by poultry manure (1.34). Therefore, the application of recommended NPK fertilizer is suggested for maximizing barley yield and profitability, while poultry manure can be considered as a suitable organic alternative for improving productivity compared with other organic sources.
A. Gaire, Anugya Dawadi, Sulochana Aryal· Journal of Plant Resources· 0 citations
Soil fertility decline caused by continuous cultivation is a major constraint to sustainable maize production in tropical regions. Integrated nutrient management, which combines organic sources such as poultry manure and Gliricidia sepium with inorganic NPK fertiliser, can improve soil nutrient status, enhance soil properties and increase crop yield more effectively than sole applications. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of combined poultry manure, Gliricidia sepium and NPK 15:15:15 on soil nutrient status and maize yield in a 3 by 2 factorial experiment involving 5 t ha⁻¹ poultry manure, 5 t ha⁻¹ Gliricidia sepium leaves and 150 kg ha⁻¹ NPK 15:15:15 arranged in a randomised complete block design. The treatment combinations were replicated three times. Data were collected on maize growth, grain-yield parameters and soil chemical characteristics, and were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS Version 16.0. The results showed that growth, yield and soil nutrient content were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the treatments. The highest growth parameters were obtained with the combined application of poultry manure and Gliricidia sepium, while the combined use of NPK 15:15:15, Gliricidia sepium and poultry manure produced the highest maize grain-yield parameters. The combined use of poultry manure with Gliricidia sepium significantly improved soil nutrient status. Sole NPK 15:15:15 application reduced soil pH compared with the combined use of poultry manure, Gliricidia sepium and NPK 15:15:15. Organic wastes should therefore be integrated with inorganic fertiliser to enhance soil nutrient status and crop yield in the study area.
A. A. Adeleye· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple crop in Nigeria, yet yields remain low due to declining soil fertility and dependence on inorganic fertilizers that are costly and environmentally unsustainable. This study investigated the use of Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata L) residues as an organic amendment under rainforest agroecological conditions in Benin City, Nigeria. Field trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Benin, Benin City, across two seasons with leaf residues rates of 0, 10, 30, and 50 kg ha–1.Experimental design was Randomised Complete Block with four replications. Soil properties, plant growth, phenological traits, and yield components were measured. Results showed that Chromolaena leaf residues significantly improved soil nutrient status, reduced acidity, enhanced nitrogen uptake, and improved maize growth and yield. Application rates of 30 and 50 kg m–2 increased plant height (155.9, 160.3 cm, respectively), shortened anthesis-silking intervals (2.4,1.5 days) and enhanced nitrogen uptake (3.37, 4.35 g plant–1). These application rates also boosted grain yield (3.0, 3.8 t ha–1) by up to 192 and 268% compared to control plots and enhanced stover yield (2.7, 3.3 t ha–1), offering added value for livestock feeding. Grain yield showed strong negative and positive correlations with phenological traits and growth/yield attributes, respectively. Findings highlight Chromolaena leaf residues as a cost-effective, eco-friendly organic fertilizers, capable of improving maize productivity and supporting sustainable crop-livestock systems in Nigeria
A. Osaigbovo, S. Ewansiha, A. Osaretin et al.· Agro-Science· 0 citations
In the face of growing demand for vegetable crops, particularly solanaceous species, the excessive use of synthetic fertilisers and the degradation of arable soils are major constraints on agricultural production in West African urban and peri-urban areas. Soilless cultivation is therefore gaining importance as an alternative production system that is less dependent on soil quality. This study compared the effects of four liquid fertilisers - two organic (a poultry manure extract and a manure-based fertiliser) and two mineral fertilisers (Nutrigofol 8-8-8 and NPK 12-22-22, with the latter serving as the control) - on the growth and yield of pepper grown under soilless conditions, with the broader aim of identifying nutrient solutions that could reduce growers’ dependence on chemical fertilisers. The trial followed a randomised complete block design with four replicates. Treatment had a significant effect on most growth and yield parameters (p < 0.001). The organic fertilisers, particularly the poultry manure extract, produced significantly higher values than the mineral fertilisers for floral bud number, fruit number, fruit mass, and estimated yield. Estimated yield reached 5.11 t ha⁻¹ with the poultry manure extract, followed by the manure-based fertiliser (3.69 t ha⁻¹), Nutrigofol 8-8-8 (2.81 t ha⁻¹), and NPK 12-22-22 (2.64 t ha⁻¹). Because no unfertilised control was included, these results describe the relative performance of the four fertilisers rather than their absolute agronomic efficiency. Within this comparative scope, the findings indicate that organic nutrient solutions derived from locally available livestock waste can support pepper productivity in soilless systems at least as well as, and for several parameters better than, the mineral fertilisers tested. Valorising such organic waste as low-cost biofertilisers could contribute to more affordable and resilient vegetable production for expanding West African cities, provided these trends are confirmed against an unfertilised control and under real production conditions.
Gnimassoun Kawojou Edwige-Gwladys, B. B. Emile, Brou A. Carelle Eudoxie· Journal of biology and natur...· 0 citations