Effect of Different Rates and Types of Fertilizers on Growth of Improved Coconut (cocos Nucifera)seedlings
1 Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B. 1030, Benin City, Nigeria
2 Chemistry Division, NIFOR, P.M.B. 1030 Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: osasederion@gmail.com
2 Chemistry Division, NIFOR, P.M.B. 1030 Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: osasederion@gmail.com
Abstract
Comparative effects of different rates of inorganic and organic fertilizers on the performance of improved coconut palms (hybrid and dwarf cultivars) were evaluated using coconut seedlings planted in 15kg soils in polythene bags at screen house of NIFOR main station, Benin City, Edo State. The reference fertilizer used was NPK Mg 12:12:17:2 and was applied at rate 0, 28, 42, 56 and 72g/pot (this was applied in three equal doses) to determine the optimum rate needed for the application of the different organic fertilizer sources (Decomposed Sunflower, DSF; Palm Kernel Cake, PKC; and Compost), used for both cultivars. The hybrid cultivar responded optimally to NPK Mg at 28-42g/pot while the various organic fertilizer sources at 32.3, 59 and 133.3gN/pot respectively of DSF, PKC and Compost were optimum for the hybrid seedlings. The seedlings treated to DSF, PKC and Compost had similar performance with the reference fertilizer but this was significantly different from the control (without fertilizer) among all the growth parameters. The dwarf cultivars responded optimally to NPK Mg at 72g/pot, while DSF, PKC and Compost at 83.1, 151.9 and 342.4gN/pot were the respective amounts require to supply optimum nutrition to the dwarf seedlings. Significant interaction occurred between fertilizer rates and cultivars. It was evident that the organic fertilizer materials could be used for the production of improved coconut seedlings instead of the usual expensive inorganic NPK Mg 12:12:17:2 fertilizer.
Keywords
fertilizers
different
seedlings
improved
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How to Cite
O., A., E.G., I., B.E., A., M., U., & P.N, O. (2014). Effect of Different Rates and Types of Fertilizers on Growth of Improved Coconut (cocos Nucifera)seedlings. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 24(1), 93-99. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2014.a96ku8h3
A. O., I. E.G., A. B.E., U. M., and O. P.N, "Effect of Different Rates and Types of Fertilizers on Growth of Improved Coconut (cocos Nucifera)seedlings," Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 93-99, April 2014. doi: 10.67042/njss.2014.a96ku8h3
