COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT RATES OF GOAT DROPPINGS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF AMARANTHUS HYBRIDUS – SEMINAR PAPER

OVERVIEW

Goat dropping, were evaluated with recommended level of inorganic fertiliser for vegetable (Amaranthus Hybridus). The highest crop yield was obtained by the application of goat dropping combined with the recommended level of inorganic fertiliser. The lowest yield was obtained by the application of goat manure only. In addition, the results revealed that the goat manure and cattle manure were inferior to goat dropping as a source of organic manure for vegetable (Amaranthus Hybridus) cultivation. The goat dropping gave a higher yield when compared to the sole application of goat dropping. The soil analysis showed that the nitrogen content and phosphorus content of goat dropping treated plots were higher than other treatments tested.

But potassium content was higher in goat manure treated plots. The results further revealed that the goat dropping has a beneficial effect on crop growth and yield compared with other treatments. Therefore, the combined use of goat dropping with inorganic fertilizer application has been recognized as the most suitable way of ensuring high crop yield.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

An extensive literature documents the potential for integration of pasture and goat dropping in plantation agriculture (Shelton et al. 1987). The integration of various crops and animals enables synergistic interactions, and result in a greater additive and total contribution than the sum of their individual effects (Edwards et al., 1988) cited in Devendra, 2011.The principal advantage of integration of goat dropping on the performance of Amaranthus Hybridus is the total farm productivity and sustainable agriculture in the context of efficient natural resource management, together with attendant benefits of reduced weeding and fertilizer costs, improved soil fertility due to the return of dung and urine and value addition to the tree crop (Devendra, 2004).

These cropping in the forest zone carry lush leguminous cover crops such as Amaranthus Hybridus. Such cover crops grow profusely and have to be cut down regularly, which is an expensive operation (Devendra, 1991). The animals are introduced to keep grass and weeds short to prevent excessive nutrient and moisture competition with the crop.

In spite of the numerous advantages associated with the above practice, any demerits that may be associated with it must be examined. Most studies have been centred on the growth of the plants (Tan and Abraham, 1981), weed control by the animals (Tan and Abraham, 1981) damage by the grazing animals (Tan and Goh 1988) and economies of combined grazing and chemical control (Ani Arope et al. 1985). One area that has not been studied is the effect of the dropping of the animals on the soil microflora and microfauna whose activities in one way or the other influence the productivity of the crops. Soil fungi break down organic matter releasing the component nutrients which are used by the plants. If the dung contains favourable compounds, the microorganisms might gain by its addition to the soil. On the other hand it may contain toxic compounds which will inhibit their growth. It may contain neither of these and will then have no chemical effect at all on the fungus.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the dung of goat on growth of Amaranthus Hybridus, which is a fast growing fungus and commonly forms a heavy whitish growth on the upper layers of the soil. This fungus was selected because it is most likely to come into contact with the droppings of the herds of goat which could accumulate in the grazing area.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

1. To know the uses of goat droppings on the performance of Vegetable crops.
2. To investigate the uses of organic manure on the performance of vegetable crops especially Amaranthus or Green.
3. To examine the harmful effects of the use of inorganic fertiliser.

REFERENCES

Ajakaiye MB and McCorvey SJ (1971). Vegetable gardening in northern states of Nigeria. Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, p. 66.

Alhassan A (2009). Healthy living: the corn delight. Sunday Trust, November 1.

Awake (2003). Farming why in crisis, Watchtower Bible and Track Society, October 8: 7.