Authors :
Kuye O. B; Oyedele D. J; Idowu M. K.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 1 - January
Google Scholar :
http://bitly.ws/gu88
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3rUHMTJ
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5910657
Abstract :
This study evaluated the effects of fertilizer
rates on yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of green
amaranth. This was with the view to establishing the best
fertilizer rate for green amaranth production in
Southwestern Nigeria.The experiment was carried out in
two agroecological zones (rainforest and derived
savanna). The experiment was laid out in Randomized
Complete Block Design with four replicates. The
treatments were: (i) 80 kg N/ha (farmers’ practice) (ii) 40
kg N/ha (microdose) (iii) 0 kg N/ha (control). Soil samples
were collected from each plot at 0-15 cm depth before and
after the experiment for routine laboratory analyses. The
above-ground biomass of green amaranth was harvested
three times and tissue samples were taken for the
determination of dry matter yield and total tissue
nitrogen. Nitrogen use efficiency of green amaranth was
estimated. The data collected were subjected to analysis
of variance and differences in treatment means were
separated using Tukey test at 5% level of probability.The
results showed that soil in the derived savanna zone had
higher organic carbon and available phosphorus than
that of the rainforest zone. The farmers’ practice of 80 kg
N/ha and 40 kg N/ha (microdose) had dry matter yields
and nitrogen uptake significantly higher than the Control
in the two zones. The nitrogen use efficiency from
farmers’ practice and microdose were not significantly
different from each other in rainforest but microdose had
nitrogen use efficiency higher than farmers’ practice in
the derived savanna.It was concluded that fertilizer
microdosing was best for optimum yield and Nitrogen use
efficiency of green amaranth.
Keywords :
Microdose, Farmers’ practice, Nitrogen Use Efficiency.
This study evaluated the effects of fertilizer
rates on yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of green
amaranth. This was with the view to establishing the best
fertilizer rate for green amaranth production in
Southwestern Nigeria.The experiment was carried out in
two agroecological zones (rainforest and derived
savanna). The experiment was laid out in Randomized
Complete Block Design with four replicates. The
treatments were: (i) 80 kg N/ha (farmers’ practice) (ii) 40
kg N/ha (microdose) (iii) 0 kg N/ha (control). Soil samples
were collected from each plot at 0-15 cm depth before and
after the experiment for routine laboratory analyses. The
above-ground biomass of green amaranth was harvested
three times and tissue samples were taken for the
determination of dry matter yield and total tissue
nitrogen. Nitrogen use efficiency of green amaranth was
estimated. The data collected were subjected to analysis
of variance and differences in treatment means were
separated using Tukey test at 5% level of probability.The
results showed that soil in the derived savanna zone had
higher organic carbon and available phosphorus than
that of the rainforest zone. The farmers’ practice of 80 kg
N/ha and 40 kg N/ha (microdose) had dry matter yields
and nitrogen uptake significantly higher than the Control
in the two zones. The nitrogen use efficiency from
farmers’ practice and microdose were not significantly
different from each other in rainforest but microdose had
nitrogen use efficiency higher than farmers’ practice in
the derived savanna.It was concluded that fertilizer
microdosing was best for optimum yield and Nitrogen use
efficiency of green amaranth.
Keywords :
Microdose, Farmers’ practice, Nitrogen Use Efficiency.
