ABSTRACT

The research investigated the effects of fertilizer application and soil amendment on the early growth of Moringa olefera. The treatments consisted of two fertilizer applications which include poultry manure and NPK 15:15:15 and a control. Moringa seeds were sown in 5kg planting buckets at the rate of two seeds per pot. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three replicates. Poultry dung was mixed with the soil a week before planting. Two weeks after planting, NPK 15:15:15 was applied in a ring method. The results demonstrated that the application of organic manure significantly improved growth parameters such as height, girth and number of leaves than in NPK treated pot and control. At 8 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP), the height of M olefera grown on poultry manure were significantly higher (p<O.05) than NPK 15:15:15 and control. At 8 and 10 weeks after planting, the girth of M oleifera grown on poultry manure increased more than those grown on NPK and control but was not significantly different. For leaf, at 8 and 10 weeks after planting, Moringa grown on poultry manure were significantly higher (p<O.OS) than NPK and control. Poultry manure improved soil nutrients, plant growth and development. The use of poultry manure could be recommended for improved crop production.