Fertility Management for Cassava Production in the Centre Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Cassava is a major food crop in Cameroon. It has the capacity to grow under poor soils or drought conditions. However, little is known about the impact of fertilizer application on cassava production on poor ferralitic soils of Cameroon. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) fertilizer and poultry manure treatments on root yield of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). The variety used (92/0326) was grown during the 2016/2017 cropping season in the Institute for Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) experimental farm at Nkolbisson, Yaounde, characterized by a rhodic ferralsol with very low pH and nutrient availability. Four treatments were applied: No input control (T0), 20-10-10 NPK fertilizer use (T1), 12-11-18 NPK fertilizer use (T2), poultry manure application (T3) in completely randomized block design. The data obtained were subjected to analyses of variance (ANOVA) using the IBM SPSS Statistics 20 Software. Level of significance was determined at 5% probability level. Pearson’s correlation test was performed at 0.1%, 1% and 5% level of probability. The results showed a significantly (P < .001) higher vegetative growth with T3, T2 and T1 treatments compared to the control. In addition, the root yields were significantly higher (P < .001) in the fertilizer applied plots than the control. Thus, T3 was 149% > control, T2 65% > control and T1 33% > control. The dry matter contents were similar in control, T1 and T3, while a 10% decrease was observed with T2. Since organic and inorganic fertilizer use enhanced cassava root yield, it appears paramount to apply a combination of both fertilizer sources to obtain a stable increase in cassava yield under very poor ferralitic soils.