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Manure placement effects
on root and shoot growth and nutrient uptake of ‘PITA 14’
Plantain hybrid (Musa sp. AAAB)
K. P. Baiyeri1* and A. Tenkouano2
1International
Institute of Tropical Agriculture, P.M.B. 008 Nchia Eleme,
Port
Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
2
IITA-Humid Forest Eco-regional Center, BP 2008 Messa,
Yaounde, Cameroon.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
paulkayodebaiyeri@yahoo.com
Accepted 22 October, 2007 |
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Low soil
organic matter and associated poor soil fertility cause
yield decline in Musa species, necessitating external
nutrient input to maintain yield. Best fertilization
practices include applying the correct fertilizer at the
correct rate, time and place. In this regard, manure
placement effects on growth, root system development and
nutrient uptake of a plantain hybrid were evaluated in a
screen-house. Three manure placement methods, whereby the
full dose of manure was applied as top-dressing (T1),
bottom-dressing (T2), or a split combination thereof (T3),
were assessed together with a no manure control (T4). There
was significant (P < 0.05) treatment effects on most of the
parameters studied. T1 gave the best growth indices 3 months
after transplanting (MAT) but not at 5 MAT. The highest root
NPK and leaf N at 3 MAT was associated with T3. T3 also
induced the best plant growth at 5 MAT, followed by T2.
Expectedly, the control treatment produced plants with the
poorest growth. Whole-plant biomass yield and distribution
were influenced by manure placement as was specific leaf
area. Significantly large correlations between leaf-3
parameters and whole-plant growth indices were observed.
Thus, dry weight of leaf-3 predicted whole-plant biomass
yield with high reliability (r2 = 94.1%),
supporting leaf-3 analysis as a non-destructive alternative
for assessment of plant performance in response to manure.
It was apparent from the study that plant performance
indices at 3 and 5 MAT showed that split dressing at the top
and the bottom of the pots (T3) was a more sustainable
method for manure application to Musa.
Key
words:
Plantain
hybrid, manure placement, root and shoot growth, nutrient
uptake, biomass yield.
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