Growth and yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) using jatropha cuttings and mineral fertilizer on inceptisols of Sudan Savanna, Nigeria
Field trials were conducted in 2018 and 2019 rainy seasons to evaluate the growth, yield and nutrients (NPK) uptake of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) as well as soil nutrients status in response to levels of jatropha cuttings (biomass foliage), mineral fertilizer and methods of application...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2022
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113190/1/113190.pdf |
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| Summary: | Field trials were conducted in 2018 and 2019 rainy seasons to evaluate the growth, yield
and nutrients (NPK) uptake of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) as well as soil
nutrients status in response to levels of jatropha cuttings (biomass foliage), mineral
fertilizer and methods of application of jatropha cuttings, at two locations (Kadawa and
Dutsinma) in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria where affordability and accessability of
fertilizer is difficult, hence low income farmers cultivate crops on low fertility soils
(Inceptisols). To improve their fertility, these soils require input of large amounts of
organic materials such as jatropha cuttings, which is a cheap and accessible resource.
The treatments consisted of three levels of jatropha cuttings (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1), three
levels of mineral fertilizer (0, half and full recommended rate of 60 kg N ha-1, 30 kg P2O5
ha-1, 30 kg K2O ha-1) and two methods of application (incorporation and surface
placement). Treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design
replicated three times. Jatropha cuttings and mineral fertilizer significantly (p<0.05)
improved the growth and yield of pearl millet over control treatment. However, mineral
fertilizer was mostly superior to jatropha cuttings in improving the yield and nutrient
uptake of pearl millet. From 2018 to 2019, most growth and yield attributes of pearl
millet were observed to increase. Significant increases mostly occurred in 2019 season
probably due to carryover effect of nutrients. In 2019, incorporation of 10 t ha-1 jatropha
cuttings led to significant increase in plant height (167.3-264.3 cm), leaf area (152.3-
282.2 cm2), grain yield (402.6-2192.9 kg ha-1) and stover yield (3557.1-8939.3 kg ha-1).
Mineral fertilizer significantly improved plant height (167.3-223.7 cm), grain yield
(402.6-3606.9 kg ha-1), stover yield (4698.2-10570 kg ha-1), and NPK uptake.
Incorporation of jatropha cuttings was superior to surface placement in enhancing plant
height (157.7-264.3 cm), leaf area (164-282.3 cm2), grain yield (438.9-2192.9 kg ha-1)
and stover yield (3321.8-7461 kg ha-1). Mostly, pearl millet’s yields recorded positive
and significant relationship with plant height, leaf area and nutrients uptake. Soil pH was
significantly decreased by mineral fertilizer. Generally, surface application of jatropha
cuttings significantly increased organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH and CEC. Mineral
fertilizer significantly enhanced available phosphorus. Soil quality was improved by
combinations of surface applied jatropha cuttings plus mineral fertilizer. Soil fertility
index (SFI) and soil evaluation factor (SEF) correlated positively and significantly with
each other and with grain yield or available phosphorus. Significant interactions revealed
that incorporation of 10 t ha-1 jatropha cuttings increased plant height (44-58%), leaf area
(85.5%), grain yield (286.3%) and stover yield (109.8%). Combination of 10 t ha-1
jatropha cuttings plus half rate of mineral fertilizer was mostly at par with the full rate of
mineral fertilizer. Combinations of mineral fertilizer and jatropha cuttings recorded
benefit/cost ratios of >1.0. Therefore, surface application of higher rates (≥10 t ha-1) of
jatropha cuttings in combination with modest amounts (half recommended rate) of
mineral fertilizer can sustainably improve soil fertility and pearl millet productivity in
Inceptisols area of Sudan Savanna (Nigeria). |
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