Sole and combined effects of Mexican sunflower, cabbage residue, and poultry manure on soil chemical properties, growth, and yield of golden melon (Cucumis melo L.) in a derived savanna ecology of Nigeria

Hitherto, the knowledge about the effect of mexican sunflower, cabbage residue, and poultry manure residues in the soil chemical conditions is still limited. Hence, a field experiment was carried out in 2020 to assess the effects of sole and combined applications of mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) leaves, cabbage (Brassica oleracea) residue and poultry manure on soil chemical properties and the performance of golden melon (Cucumis melo L.). The organic manures were applied at the rate of 120 kg N ha-1. The treatments were: Tithonia leaves alone (1.42 kg/plot), cabbage residue applied alone (1.80 kg/plot), poultry manure applied alone (PM) (1.68 kg/plot), PM at 0.84 kg plot-1 + Tithonia leaves at 0.71 kg plot-1, PM at 0.84 kg plot-1 + cabbage residue at 0.90 kg plot-1, Tithonia leaves at 0.71 kg plot-1 + cabbage residue at 0.90 kg plot 1, control. The seven treatments were laid out in RCBD with three replications. Organic manures (sole or combined) significantly increased the soil organic matter, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and performance of golden melon as compared with the control. When considered sole, PM increased soil chemical properties, growth and yield of golden melon relative to other manures. When combined, PM + cabbage has the highest value of these parameters. The increased performance of golden melon under PM + cabbage was due to improved soil chemical properties and also due to the fact that slowly decaying cabbage residue may allow the retention of released nutrients from rapidly decomposing PM within the rooting zone, thereby fostering greater efficiency of nutrient release and uptake. Consequently, locally available organic material can be used in improving soil and crop productivity, especially when they are combined.