IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

International Journal of Agriculture and Earth Science (IJAES )

E- ISSN 2489-0081
P- ISSN 2695-1894
VOL. 11 NO. 2 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijaes.vol.11.no2.2025.pg12.26

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A Comparative Analysis on the effects of three Organic Fertilizer Types on the Yield of Dual-Purpose Legume Forages and Soil Physiochemical Properties in the Coastal Rainforest of Akwa Ibom State

EKETTE, I E, Anyanwu N J, Mbaba S N, Johnson P E

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Abstract

The surge of the global population on the food sustainability of the world is a major burden for agriculture in recent times. To sustain the growing population, agricultural best practices are constantly being improved to ensure food sustainability. This study investigated the effects of three organic fertilizers on the soil, forage and grain yield of cowpea, groundnut and soya bean. The study was conducted in Obio Akpa ,Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria ,and utilized a randomized complete block design (RCBD), including a control group,to assess the impact of goat, poultry droppings, and pig dung as organic fertilizers on the soil and yield of the legume crops. The findings showed Significant changes in soil physiochemical properties were observed including a reduction in the proportion of sand content, increased pH and total nitrogen when compared to the control. Cowpea with pig dung made the most significant effect on soil having 46.54mgkg-1available phosphorus followed by soybean planted with pig dung with 44.94mgkg-1. Soybean and groundnut planted with Goat manure made the highest contribution in terms of soil organic matter with 3.99% and 3.79% respectively. For yield potential, groundnut and soybean produced the highest grain yield with 3731.80t/ha and 3765.60t/ha respectively, while groundnut and cowpea performed better in terms of dry matter yield with total dry matter of 7716.40t/ha and 4694.40t/h respectively. Total grain yield values indicated significant support from pig dung for groundnut, whereas poultry manure was significant for soybean. Based on the findings, the use of pig dung and poultry manure was recommended as preferred organic fertilizer options for enhancing legume yields, particularly cowpea, groundnut, and soybean due to the significant positive effects on legume performance. Particularly, in terms of pod number, seed weight, shelling percentage, and total grain yield.

keywords:

Legume, cowpea, soybean, groundnut, organic fertilizers, pig dung, poultry

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