Abstract:
This study carried out to investigate the effects of organic amendments on the early growth and nutrient uptake of Moringa oleifera in the nursery. The treatments consisted of cured poultry manure, cow dung and different combinations of composted organic waste on dry weight basis: cassava and poultry manure (Cp3pm) 3:1, cassava and poultry manure (Cp2pm) 2:1, elephant grass and poultry manure (Ep3pm), 3:1, and elephant grass and poultry manure (Ep3pm) 2:1 and top soil as control. Organic amendments at 5 tons ha-1 (15.8 g) were mixed with topsoil in polythene pots containing 6 kg top soil (15.8 g pot-1) except the control. The experiments were arranged in a Completely Random Design (CRD) and replicated three times. Data on vegetative development, number of leaves, stem girth and plant height were taken for five weeks beginning from two weeks after planting (2WAP). The seedlings were uprooted and separated into roots, stem and leaves for fresh and dry weights data. Shoot were analyzed to determine plant tissue uptake per treatment. Results indicated that treatments significantly affected (p<0.05) growth parameters, except stem girth. Cow dung application significantly had higher number of leaves at five and six (WAP) and also recorded higher plant height throughout the observation period. Dry matter accumulation was also influenced by organic amendment. Significantly higher stems, leaves and root dry weights were recorded under cow dung application.
A.G. Adebayo, H.A. Akintoye, A.O. Olufolaji, O.O. Aina, M.T. Olatunji and A.O. Shokalu, 2011. Assessment of Organic Amendments on Vegetative Development and Nutrient Uptake of Moringa oleifera Lam in the Nursery. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 10: 74-79.
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