ABSTRACT

 Agroforcstry is a soil fertility enhancement system that combines agricultural and tree crops ofvarying longevity, arranged either temporally or spatially, to maximize and sustain agricultural yield and minimize degradation of soil and water resources. A Factorial Experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used to evaluate the germination and growth attributes (height, girth and leaves numbers) at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks alter planting (WAP) of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in a 120m2 plantation block of scattered trees of in Agroforcstry system with teak (tectona grandis) stand Umudike, Nigeria in 2023. Fertilizers treatments: i. 800kg/ha NPK 20; 10: 10; ii. lOtonncs/ha poultry manure; iii. 5tonncs poultry manure+400kg NPK20:10:10/ha and control (no fertilizer) were randomly applied in each ofthe 2m x 5m replicate within a 120m2 experimental block. The physicochemical properties of soil of each fertilizer treatment were analyzed. Results showed that over 80% germination was recorded in cassava stem cuttings within 6-7 DAP. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in growth attributes of cassava (plant height, plant diameter and leaf number) at 2 WAP. However, 5tonncs poultry manure and 400kg ha-1 of NPK 20:10:10 gave significant (P<0.05) increase in cassava height, girth and leave number at 4 WAP, 6 WAP and 8WAP. The results ofthe physicochemical properties ofsoil samples: silt, clay, pl I, TN, OC, OM, P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, EA and CEC varied significantly (P<0.05). Cassava can be intercropped with Tectona grandis (Linn F.) using 5tonnes ha-'(PouItry) Mixed with 400kgha-‘ inorganic (NPK 20:10:10) fertilizer rates. Farmers and stakeholders in agriculture should adopt Tectona grandis (LinnF.) based agroforcstry system and promote the use the mixture of poultry manures and Inorganic Fertilizer to enhance crops productivity