Full Length Research Paper

Response of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seedlings to organic manure, N and K fertilizers in polybag nursery

N. O. Aisueni, C. E. Ikuenobe*, E. C. Okolo and F. Ekhator

Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), PMB 1030, Benin City, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: ceeikuenobe@yahoo.com.  

Tel.: +2348035522177.

Accepted 13 February, 2009

   Abstract

A trial was conducted at NIFOR’s sub-station, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria to investigate the influence of soil fertility amendment using inorganic fertilizers and organic manure on date palm seedlings in polybag nursery. Experimental design was a 3 × 4 × 4 factorial with organic manure (dried poultry droppings) at 0, 50 and 100 g per seedling, ammonium sulphate at 0, 2, 4 and 8 g per seedling and muriate of potash at 0, 2, 4 and 8 g per seedling. Seedling dry matter significantly increased with increasing rates of organic manure applied. Application of ammonium sulphate or muriate of potash beyond 2 g per seedling significantly reduced seedling dry matter. Manure × N interaction effect on dry matter was significant. However, manure × muriate of potash or manure × N × muriate of potash or muriate of potash × N interaction were not significant. Leaf nutrient contents were not significantly enhanced by the application of the soil amendment treatments. Supplementation of poultry manure with ammonium sulphate enhanced date palm seedling dry matter. Thus while poultry manure could serve as alternative soil fertility treatment to inorganic N or K, its supplementation with inorganic sources of N may be needed to enhance seedling dry matter.

Key words: Date palm, inorganic fertilizers, organic manure, leaf nutrients.