Effect of Combined Application of Fortified Poultry Manure with Ash and NPK Fertilizer on the Performance of Sakanal Onions (Allium cepa L.) in Sokoto, Sudan Savanna, Nigeria

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of combined application of fortified poultry manure with ash and NPK fertilizer on the performance of sakanal onions (Allium cepa L.) variety during 2018/2019 dry season in Chimola (Gwadabawa LGA) and Wurno (Wurno LGA), Sokoto State. The treatments consisted of three (3) levels combination of fortified poultry manure with ash (1:3 ratio) at 5, 10 and 15t ha-1 and three (3) levels of NPK at 30, 45 and 60kg ha-1 which were combined and laid-out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three (3) times. Sakanal onion variety was used as a test crop. The data generated were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure for RCBD using SPSS version 23.0. The results revealed that fortified poultry manure with ash and NPK fertilizer significantly (P<0.05) affected Growth and yield parameters such as plant height (71 - 62 cm), number of leaves (8), fresh bulb yield (70t ha-1), crop growth rate (1.52g cm-1) in Chimola and Wurno. Individual bulb weight (300g), bulb diameter (7.8cm) were significantly (P<0.05) affected in Wurno location. Cured buld yield (55t ha-1) responds significantly (P<0.05) to the application of fortified poultry manure with ash and NPK fertilizer in Chimola location. The result of the study revealed that application of fortified poultry manure with ash and NPK fertilizer (P15NPK3) significantly improved the performance and shelf-life of sakanal onion variety and physical and chemical properties of the soils in the study area.