Evaluation of animal manure sources and rates of application on the growth characteristics of Citrus rootstock variety in Southeastern Nigeria
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Abstract
Field trials were conducted at the citrus nursery of National Horticultural Research Institute, Mbato Out-Station Okigwe, Imo State during the late seasons of 2014 and 2015 respectively to evaluate the effect of different sources of animal manure and rates on growth characteristics of citrus rootstock variety, rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush). Factor A comprises of poultry manure, cattle dung and piggery waste, while factor B were the rates of application at 0, 10, 15, and 20 t/ha. The rootstock material was sourced from the institute’s collection block, processed and laid-out in prepared plots of size 5.5 m x 9.0 m with plant spacing of 0.75 m x 0.25 m between and within the row. The trials were in each case a 3 x 4 factorial experiment fitted into randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Soil samples were collected and processed for routine analysis at the on-set of the experiment. Data were collected on plant height (cm), number of leaves, plant girth (cm) and number of branches. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using JMB statistical software while means were separated using Fischer’s least significant difference (FLSD) at 5% probability level. Results obtained showed that the manure sources significantly (P<0.05) increased the measured growth parameters relative to the control. Cattle dung gave highest mean number of leaves (68.1 and 43.8) in 2014 and 2015 respectively and number of branches (3.48 and 4.22) at 8 weeks after treatment application (WATA). However, poultry manure showed best performance in terms of plant height in 2014 at 4 WATA (36.1 cm) and 8 WATA (49.8 cm) and in 2015 at both 4 WATA (47.5 cm) sand 8 WATA (60.0 cm). Application rate of 20 t/ha recorded highest mean value on number of leaves, plant height, number of branches as well as stem girth and is therefore, recommended to citrus nursery farmers in Okigwe zone
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References
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