Effect of Vermicompost and Mineral Fertilizer on Growth of Amaranthus Cruentus

M. O. Ayorinde, J. Dauda

Abstract


A pot experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research farms of the Department of Vocational and Technical Education located within Ahmadu Bello University farms in 2016 and 2017 growing seasons.  Degraded surface soils (0-20cm) from the research farm were used to study the effect of Vermicompost on the physical and chemical properties of the soil and growth of green Amaranth. Four treatments (0, 5, 7 and 10T/ha) of vermicompost were replicated 3 times in a complete randomized design. Data were collected on growth parameters: number of leaves, fresh weight, and dry matter weight and plant height. Collected data were analyzed using ANOVA. The results indicated that the growth parameters of Amaranth were significantly influenced by rate of applied vermicompost to the soil. The performance of soil amended with vermicompost was significantly higher compared with control. Also, nutrient content (available P, Ca, Mg, total N, CEC, and base saturation) of soil amended with vermicompost was significantly higher and increased with increase in rate of applied vermicompost. The overall results suggest that there is a great potential in amending agricultural soil with vermicompost for economic recovery and national development in the study area.


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References


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