A. Kekong1*, A. Ali2, T. O. Ojikpong1 and N. B. Ibrahim2
1-Cross River University of Technology, Obubra Campus
2- University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State
*Corresponding author; email:matikekong@gmail.com
Abstract
The dynamics of Nitrogen in manures has remained a challenge in the environment. A field study was conducted at a rainforest and savannah locations in Nigeria during the 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons to evaluate effects of Moringa oleifera leaves and Fertiplus manure on soil total N and yield of garden egg. A factorial combination of two garden egg varieties (Gilo and Kumba) and Moringa( 5, 10, 20 t ha-1); Fertiplus( 1,2,3 t ha-1 ) with a control giving 14 treatments,within 3 replicates. Results show that the manures increased soil total N from 30-90 days, with the highest increase from Moringa leaf 20 t ha-1 while the control showed a decline in total N. All manure rates significantly (P < 0. 05) increased yield of Solanum aethiopicum varieties over the control. Moringa 20 t ha-1 produced highest fruit yield (7.22 t ha-1 and 6.68t ha-1 ) in 2009 and 10.37 t ha-1 and 9.17 t ha-1) in 2010 for Makurdi and Obubra respectively. The yields were significantly (t <0.05) higher in Makurdi than Obubra in both years. Moringa leaf (20 t ha-1 ) is a good source of N for sustainable production of garden egg in Nigeria Rainforest and savannah soils.