Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple crop in Nigeria, yet yields remain low due to declining soil fertility and dependence on inorganic fertilizers that are costly and environmentally unsustainable. This study investigated the use of Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata L) residues as an organic amendment under rainforest agroecological conditions in Benin City, Nigeria. Field trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Benin, Benin City, across two seasons with leaf residues rates of 0, 10, 30, and 50 kg ha–1.Experimental design was Randomised Complete Block with four replications. Soil properties, plant growth, phenological traits, and yield components were measured. Results showed that Chromolaena leaf residues significantly improved soil nutrient status, reduced acidity, enhanced nitrogen uptake, and improved maize growth and yield. Application rates of 30 and 50 kg m–2 increased plant height (155.9, 160.3 cm, respectively), shortened anthesis-silking intervals (2.4,1.5 days) and enhanced nitrogen uptake (3.37, 4.35 g plant–1). These application rates also boosted grain yield (3.0, 3.8 t ha–1) by up to 192 and 268% compared to control plots and enhanced stover yield (2.7, 3.3 t ha–1), offering added value for livestock feeding. Grain yield showed strong negative and positive correlations with phenological traits and growth/yield attributes, respectively. Findings highlight Chromolaena leaf residues as a cost-effective, eco-friendly organic fertilizers, capable of improving maize productivity and supporting sustainable crop-livestock systems in Nigeria
Maize (Zea mays L.) production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is constrained by many biophysical phenomena, particularly declining soil fertility, insect pests, and weed pressure. This study evaluated the integrative effects of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf mulch (NLM) on soil fertility, fall armyworm (FAW) damage and weed suppression, for maize production in the tropical Rainforest Zone of Nigeria. A field experiment was conducted at the University of Benin Teaching and Research Farm, using four mulch rates (0, 1, 3 and 5 kg m-2) arranged in a randomised complete block design, with four replicates. Fresh green Neem leaves were applied as surface mulch at sowing, 2 and 4 weeks after sowing (WAS). Results showed that NLM significantly improved soil organic carbon (27.1 to 103.5%), total nitrogen (10.5 to 33.3%), and available phosphorus (36.5 to 79.2%), relative to the control; while potassium response was minimal and variable. FAW damage was significantly reduced from 6 WAS onwards, with severity declining by more than 60% under mulched treatments. Weed density and biomass decreased substantially by 32.7 - 76.1% and 28.7 - 74.9%, respectively, with increasing mulch rates. Grain yield also increased significantly from 1.17 t ha-1 in the control to 4.13 t ha-1 at 5 kg m-2; representing up to 252.8% improvement. Yield was negatively correlated with FAW damage and weed biomass; but positively associated with yield components. The study demonstrates that neem leaf mulch is an effective option for integrated management of soil fertility, FAW, and weeds in maize production. The 3 kg m-2 rate provided a near optimal balance between performance and resource use. Further studies should assess long-term impacts and scalability of the innovation across agro-ecological zones.
S. U. Ewansiha, F. Aiyinomwan, E. Okafor et al.· African Crop Science Journal· 0 citations
Okra is a key vegetable in West Africa, but poor fertilization practices and low soil fertility constrain its productivity. This study evaluated the responses of two okra varieties (AVOK1504 and Konni) to twelve fertilization treatments, including poultry manure (PM), foliar biostimulant (ABC grower), NPK, Urea, and K
2
SO
4
, applied alone or in combination. A split-plot design with three replications was used, with “Variety” as the main factor and “Fertilizers” as the sub-factor. The field trial was implemented over two seasons (years 2021 and 2022) at Abomey-Calavi (Southern Benin) with Sudano-Guinean climatic conditions. Growth parameters, yield components, soil properties, and climatic data were collected. Analysis of variance with the least significant difference at
p
< 0.05, was performed to assess statistical differences in growth parameters, yield, and yield components. Fertilization regimes significantly influenced plant height, stem diameter, branching, and leaf development (
p
< 0.001). T2 induced early flowering and fruiting for the Konni variety, whatever the season: respectively 38.3 and 39.3 days after sowing (season1) 47 and 48 days after sowing (season2). Konni yielded significantly higher than AVOK1504 regardless the season (
p
< 0.001). Sole organic fertilizer and its combinations with mineral fertilizers enhanced growth and yield, with 10 t/ha PM (T2), 10 t/ha PM + 200 kg NPK + 50 kg Urea + 50 kg K₂SO₄ (T6) and T7 (T6 + 250L/ha ABC grower) achieving the highest yields: 4.3 t/ha, 5.3 t/ha and 5.8 t/ha, respectively, for Konni against 5.1 t/ha, 4.8 t/ha and 5.3 t/ha, respectively, for AVOK1504. Sole PM at 10 t/ha (T2) showed similar statistical yield performance as T6 and T7, despite its low inputs composition, and additionally most effectively enhanced soil pH, total N, Ca, and Mg. Notably, none of the treatments increased soil organic carbon or available phosphorus, an unexpected result given the high carbon content of the PM applied. Findings highlight the agronomic benefits of integrated nutrient management for optimizing okra productivity and soil health. These results inform fertilizer recommendations and sustainable soil fertility management strategies for okra-producing regions in Benin and similar agroecological zones.
J. Honfoga, Sognigbé N'Danikou, Eric C. Legba et al.· Frontiers in Sustainable Foo...· 0 citations
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is an important fruit vegetable in tropical Africa, but its productivity may be constrained by inadequate soil fertility and inappropriate fertiliser rates. This study evaluated the effects of four NPK 15:15:15 rates on the growth and yield of the Nsukka landrace. A field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, using a randomised complete block design with four replications. Treatments comprised 0, 150, 300, and 450 kg ha⁻¹ NPK 15:15:15. Data were collected at two-week intervals on plant height, number of leaves, stem girth, flowering, fruiting, fruit dimensions, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant, and total fruit yield. The 450 kg ha⁻¹ rate produced the greatest plant height and stem girth at most assessment periods, whereas 300 kg ha⁻¹ produced the highest number of leaves at 6 weeks after planting. The 300 kg ha⁻¹ treatment also resulted in the shortest time to flowering and fruiting and produced the highest fruit length, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant, and total fruit yield. Total yield reached 6.55 t ha⁻¹ at 300 kg ha⁻¹, compared with 5.29 t ha⁻¹ at 450 kg ha⁻¹ and 2.30 t ha⁻¹ in the control. Under the conditions of this study, 300 kg ha⁻¹ NPK 15:15:15 provided the most favourable overall yield response for Nsukka landrace okra.
G. N. Onwubiko· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a staple crop in semi-arid Nigeria, but its productivity is constrained by poor soil fertility. While inorganic NPK fertilizers can boost yields, their long-term use may degrade soil health. Organic alternatives like Gliricidia sepium remain underutilized despite their potential to improve soil quality. A field experiment was conducted at the Dryland Teaching and Research Farm, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, during the 2025 cropping season. The treatments comprised: T₁ (NPK 15 g plant⁻¹), T₂ (Gliricidia-based organic fertilizer 100 g plant⁻¹), T₃ (50 g Gliricidia + 7.5 g NPK plant⁻¹), and T₄ (control). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Data were collected on growth parameters, yield components, and post-harvest soil physicochemical properties. Analysis of variance was used to test treatment effects at p<0.05. Fertilizer application significantly (p<0.05) influenced millet growth at later stages. Plants treated with Gliricidia (T₂ and T₃) were significantly taller at 9 and 12 weeks after planting and produced more tillers than the NPK-only and control treatments. Although not statistically significant (p<0.05), the sole Gliricidia treatment (T₂) gave the highest grain yield (1.05 t ha⁻¹), representing a 48% increase over the control (0.71 t ha⁻¹). Post-harvest soil analysis showed that Gliricidia-amended plots had significantly higher pH (6.40) compared to the NPK-only plots (6.31). Available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium were significantly higher in the NPK treatment, while total nitrogen remained unaffected across treatments. Gliricidia-based organic fertilizer effectively enhances millet growth and shows strong potential for improving grain yield while buffering soil pH against acidification. It is recommended as a sustainable nutrient management option for smallholder farmers in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria.
S. B. Shamaki, G. A. Abubakar, M. B. Oyun et al.· Journal of Agriculture and E...· 0 citations
Okra is an economically important vegetable crop with high nutritional value, widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions globally. An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of eight treatments on the growth, yield, and economic performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) under irrigated conditions in the Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka, during September to November 2023. The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Eight treatments (T1–T8) consisting of different organic manure applications, and the Department of Agriculture (DOA)-recommended chemical fertilizers were applied, including a control treatment without organic manure. Haritha okra was used as the test variety. Growth parameters including plant height, dry weight, and number of leaves, and yield parameters including number of pods per plant, fresh pod weight, and shelf life were evaluated. Poultry manure applied at 460 g plant⁻¹ (T2) recorded the highest plant height (31.4 cm), number of leaves (8.0 leaves plant⁻¹), dry pod weight (13.3 g plant⁻¹), fresh pod weight (130 g plant⁻¹), number of pods per plant (8 pods), and shelf life (5.7 days). Compared with the control treatment (T1), poultry manure increased plant height by 35.3%, fresh pod weight by 160%, and shelf life by 32.6%. No significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was observed between T2 and T5 (cattle manure: poultry manure, 230 g: 230 g plant⁻¹). The highest benefit-cost ratio was recorded in T2 and T5. It can be concluded that poultry manure at 460 g plant⁻¹ was the most effective treatment for improving the growth, yield, and economic performance of okra under irrigated conditions.
N. Saheedha, K. Aafir· Knowex food and agriculture· 0 citations
The excessive dependence on synthetic fertilizers in crop production has raised concerns regarding soil degradation, environmental sustainability, and long-term agricultural productivity. Vermicompost represents a promising organic nutrient source; however, its effectiveness in improving crop performance may vary depending on application rate and crop genotype. This study evaluated vermicompost as a sustainable biofertilizer for improving growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). A factorial experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of vermicompost application levels and cowpea genotype on growth and yield performance. Four cowpea varieties were tested under four vermicompost-to-soil ratios of 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0 together with chemical fertilizer and untreated control treatments. Growth and yield parameters were analyzed using analysis of variance in Minitab 15. Vermicompost significantly enhanced vegetative growth and reproductive performance compared with the control and chemical fertilizer treatments (p < 0.05). Improvements were evident across all vermicompost levels, with 25–75% applications already producing substantial gains in growth and yield attributes. Maximum values were generally observed at the 100% level, including plant height (50.94 ± 3.00 cm; Bombay), leaf number (39.00 ± 1.22; MI 35), branch number (14.20 ± 1.48; MI 35), nodes per main stem (20.00 ± 2.45; MI 35), and leaf area index (79.26 ± 14.97 cm²; Bombay). Yield-related traits also responded positively to vermicompost, as indicated by earlier flowering (35 ± 0.83 days; Waruni and Dawala), earlier maturity (47.40 ± 1.14 days; Waruni), longer pods (16.24 ± 0.68 cm; ANKCP 2), higher seed number per pod (11.00 ± 1.58; ANKCP 2), greater pod number per plant (4.40 ± 1.14; Waruni), and increased seed size (0.72 ± 0.08 mm; Bombay). Vermicompost showed beneficial effects under the tested pot conditions; however, further field validation is necessary to assess its effectiveness and suitability as a partial or complete alternative to conventional fertilizers.
A. Amarasinghe, E. Rathnathunga, W. Pushpakumari· Turkish Journal of Agricultu...· 0 citations
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