Comparative Effect of Aqueous Moringa Extracts (leaf and Pod) as Folliar Fertilizer on Cocoyam Yield
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: The use of aqueous moringa extract (leaf and pod) as a foliar fertilizer was studied in the cocoyam research farm,National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State. The study was aimed at determining the effect ofthe extracts on the yield of two cultivars of Cocoyam. Extracts were produced by milling moringa leaf and podseparately, and diluted with water at the ratios of 1:1 and 2:1(v/v) each. The experimental design was a 5x2factorial in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. The factors are; five treatments (control,AMPE 1:1, AMPE 2:1, AMLE 1:1 and AMLE 2:1), and two Cocoyam cultivars (NCe 001 and 012). Eachreplicate had 10 treatment combinations. Treatments were applied on plant leaves at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks afterplanting. Data collected were growth (number of plant stands at harvest), and yield (weight and number of cormsand cormels). The results indicate that the AMPE gave better yield than AMLE. When compared with the control,all the treatments gave higher yield, with AMPE 2:1 having higher yield of about 20% on NCe 012 and AMPE 1:1with about 50% on NCe 001. Amongst the two cultivars, there were significant differences in their yield, withbetter performance from NCe 012. Results showed that moringa extract can be considered as a good organicfoliar fertilizer for enhanced yield of Cocoyam. This is attributed to its composition of growth hormones andnutrients which are present in sufficient quantities and suitable proportions, capable of increasing growth andyield of various crops.
Source: Nigeria Agricultural Journal
Author: N.E. Ebido
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3114467486