Effect of goat manure and urea fertilizer on soil, growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of goat dung manure on okra, field experiments were canied out at Ado-Ekiti and Akure in Southwest, Nigeria. In a preliminary study carried out at Ado-Ekiti the effects of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 t ha-1 goat manure (GM) on okra (var. v35) were studied. Goat manure applied at 4, 6 and 8 t ha-1 increased number of pods by 25, 31 and 44%, respectively. At Akure the relative effects of 160 kg ha-1 urea (72 kg ha-1 N), 8 t ha-1 GM, 6 t ha-1 GM+40 kg ha-1 urea (U), 4 t ha-1 GM +80 kg ha-1 U, 22 t ha-1 GM + 120 kg ha-1 U and no treatment on soil chemical composition and growth and yield of okra (var. NHAE-47-4) were studied. The 81 ha-1 GM was more effective than 160 kg ha-1 U in increasing number and weight of pods. Addition of GM to urea increased pod weight, Soil Organic Matter (SOM), N and pH. GM increased soil, N, P, K and mg contents. The 2 t ha-1 GM+120 kg ha-1 gave the highest okra yield. © 2007 Academic Journals.