Assessment of the Effects of Organic Manure Amendment of Watershed Soils in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Campus

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the effects of different manure concentrations as an amendment strategy on the soil productivity of the two watersheds in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka campus using Telfairia occidentalis as a test crop. Two watersheds in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka were sampled for the study; each watershed consists of head (where the water is flowing from) and tail (the out flow area of water). An area of 600 m2 (30 m x 20 m) was mapped out in each watershed. Random sampling methods were used in the study. The soil samples were collected separately from both the head and tail of each watershed, using potting polythene bags which were later transported to a screen house where different concentrations of cow dung, poultry manure and then inorganic fertilizer (as standard) were applied to the different soil samples collected from both the upper (head) and lower (tail) of the two watersheds. Each bag containing different manure concentration had two replicates, with a total of 64 bags in all the treatments. Then, fluted pumpkin seed was planted on each bag of the soil and monitored for early seedling growth and other morphometric parameters. The study revealed that cow dung manure performed better in almost all the parameters measured: leaf length, leaf breadth, stem height, stem girth and number of leaves. This better performance of cow dung may be as a result of difference in their C/N ratios as well as difference in nutrient composition.