CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background To The Study
Fluted pumpkin (Telfairiaoccidentalis Hook. F), a creeping vine, trellised plant is one of leafy vegetables indigenous to Africa and cultivated for its leaf and edible seeds in Southern Nigeria (Horsefall and Spiff, 2005).Vegetables generally are nutrient demanding crops, and as such adequate soil fertility is require for crop growth. This is in view of the fact that most African soils are deficient in nutrients required for optimum crop growth, with special emphasis on low organic matter content (Shiyam et al., 2007). The need for soil fertility restorative measures using available and abundant organic wastes has been recognized by both farmers, extension agents and researchers (Adediran et al., 2003).
Unlike solid organic fertilizers which has already gained global recognition, liquid organic manures has limited use especially in tropical Africa. Liquid manures which form part of organic farming is rarely practiced by farmers in Nigeria. However, great potential exist for their integration into existing organic based farming practices, since smallholder crop farmers generally lack sufficient financial resources to acquire inorganic fertilizers. With the depleted nature of the soils of the Niger Delta which have low fertility with inherent multiple deficiencies in nutrients, low base saturation and cation exchange capacity (Opuwaribo et al., 1990), the need for organic amendments become very urgent, if the crops are to yield their potential productive capacity.
Significant increase in growth attributes such as leaf number, leaf area branch number, vine length, shoot fresh weight and total shoot yield of pumpkinhas been reported with use of organic fertilizer (Okoro, 2006; Fubara-Manuel et al. 2012). Shiyam and Binang (2014) also observed significant increase in proliferation of leaves, fresh and dry weights of plant and biomass production with organic manure applications in pumpkin.
This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the extent to which varied water hyacinth/animal manure mix liquid manures will influence the growth, nutrient uptake and yield of pumpkin
Statement of problem
The production of this crop requires soil with high levels of organic matter content that can provide the essential nutrients and conditions needed for crop growth and development. There is paucity of information on the use of pelleted and unpelleted composted organic materials for the production of pumpkin leaf (ugu)crop
Objective of the study
The main objective of this study is to determine the effects of organic manure on the growth and yield of pumpkin leaf (ugu)
The specific objectives of this work is to:
1. determine the physical and chemical composted organic materials
2. determine the effects of organic materials on the growth and yield pumpkin leaf (ugu)
Research Questions
1. what are physical and chemical properties of organic materials?
2. What are the effects of organic materials on the growth and yield of pumpkin leaf (ugu)
Significance of the Study
This study will aid the study and understanding of the subject matter as it will improve the effect of organic manure on the growth of pumpkin leaf(ugu)
Scope/ Limitation of the Study
Scope/ Limitation of the Study
The study will cover the nssuka area of enugu state Nigeria. Just like every other research finance and time was a limiting factor.
Also acquiring of material/tools for the research was also another challenge encountered by the research
Definition of Terms
Manure is organic matter, mostly derived from animal feces except in the case of green manure, which can be used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. Manures contribute to the fertility of the soil by adding organic matter and nutrients, such as nitrogen, that are utilised by bacteria, fungi and other organisms in the soil. Higher organisms then feed on the fungi and bacteria in a chain of life that comprises the soil food web
Organic manure are fertilizers derived from animal matter, animal excreta (manure), human excreta, and vegetable matter (e.g. compost and crop residues).[1] Naturally occurring organic fertilizers include animal wastes from meat processing, peat, manure, slurry, and guano....
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Item Type: Project Material | Size: 53 pages | Chapters: 1-5
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