ABSTRACT
This study was carried out with the aim of assessing the rattle tree (Albizia lebbeck) effects on soil properties and Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum) productivity on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria. In carrying out the research, a randomized complete block design (RCBD) was employed consisting of five treatments and three replicates. The five treatments applied were as follows: Treatment 1 (T1): Irish potato planted in the alley (space) between A. lebbeck tree rows without green manure; T2: Potato planted without A. lebbeck tree rows but with its green manure application, two weeks before planting of potato at 5 ton/ha; T3: Potato planted in the alley of A. lebbeck tree rows with its green manure (as mulch) at 5 ton/ha; T4: Potato planted in the alley of A. lebbeck tree rows at 10 ton/ha and T0: Potato planted without A. lebbeck green manure and tree rows as control. Plot size was 3 m x 2 m (6 m2 ) in form flat bed. Apart from T3 with the green manure as mulch on the plot, the green manure applied to other treatments was ploughed with the soil. Green manure application was done two weeks before planting of potato and A. lebbeck seedlings were planted one week prior to planting of potato. The field experiment lasted for three years (2004 – 2006) and both rainy and dry cropping seasons were carried out. The observations made include significant effect (P < 0.01) of the treatments, blocks, seasons and treatment x season (interaction) on the growth parameters (seedlings’ emergence percentage, plant height, leaf count and collar girth) and yield indices [tuber count (P < 0.05) and tuber weight (P < 0.01)]. T4 which had the highest level of green manure application (10 t/ha) with A. lebbeck tree rows emerged as the most effective treatment in terms of growth performance and optimal mean yield (10.24 t/ha). From the five cropping seasons, the mean yield from dry season harvests (7.89 t/ha) was higher than those of rainy season (7.73 t/ha). The independent variables (collar girth, leaf count and plant height) showed positive correlation with the dependent variable (Irish potato yield) while stem count had a negative correlation with yield. Very importantly leaf count and collar girth were the two determinants of yields (of this bertita variety of Irish potato) from this study. They accounted for 61.6 – 91.3% of the variation in yield (R2 = 0.616 – 0.913). Similarly, improvement on soil nutrient status and significant effect of treatments and blocks on some soil properties such as available phosphorus (P) (at 0 -10 cm depth) and potassium (K) (0 – 10 cm and 10 – 25 cm depths) at P < 0.05 were observed. However, only block effect was recorded on pH and Mg and there was a general decrease in the organic matter, total nitrogen (TN), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), exchangeable acidity and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) after planting. This could probably due to leaching, absorption by the crops and crop removal. Thus, it could be inferred that the green manure (at 10 ton / ha) and tree rows of A. lebbeck can improve soil nutrient status and productivity of this crop. Also, sustainable production of Irish potato without the use of nitrogenous / inorganic fertilizer under this agroforestry system is feasible on the Jos Plateau.
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The most significant impedi...
Background Of The Study
As an academic discipline, home economics is always developing and adapting to a world where the...
ABSTRACT: This study examines the impact of work-based learning (WBL) on vocational skill acquisition, highlighting its role in bridging the g...
ABSTRACT
The emergence of financial management as a major contributor to the analysis of investment and financing decis...
Background of the study
A communicable disease is an illne...
ABSTRACT
This study was to assess the significance external auditor‟s in the examination of financial statement of first Bank of Nigeria...
The study examined the problems facing English teachers in teaching literature in English in Nigerian senior secondar...
Abstract:
This study investigates the effect of employee motivation on management accounting outcomes i...
ABSTRACT
The topics of this research work are the application of marketing control techniques in manufacturing firms in Enugu east local...
ABSTRACT
The increase in tax evasion and actual tax revenue collected but not fully remitted to the gov...