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Abstract
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Article Information:
Effects of Kraal Manure, Chicken Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var Commander) in a Semi-arid Environment
Michael T. Masarirambi, Bekhumusa M. Mbokazi, Paul K. Wahome and Tajudeen O. Oseni
Corresponding Author: M.T. Masarirambi
Submitted: 2011 October, 31
Accepted: 2011 November, 18
Published: 2012 January, 25 |
Abstract:
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The experiment was carried out at the Horticulture Department Farm, Faculty of Agriculture,
Luyengo campus of the University of Swaziland to determine the yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) when
fertilized with kraal manure, poultry manure and inorganic fertilizer, and to assess the rate of weed emergence
on plots fertilized with various materials. The treatments were of kraal or chicken manure applied at 40 t/ha and
60 t/ha, and chemical fertilizer 2:3:2 (22) applied at 80 kg/ha. The results showed that growing lettuce using
the five treatments significantly affected its growth rate, leaf number, fresh mass, dry mass and weed
infestation. Lettuce grown with chicken manure at 60 t/ha was found to have higher leaf number, fresh mass,
dry mass and apparently higher weed infestation as compared to the other treatments. There were no significant
(p>0.05) growth parameter differences from the kraal manure at 40 t/ha and the chicken manure at 40 t/ha
treatments. Lettuce grown using inorganic fertilizer had the least leaf number, leaf area, leaf area index, fresh
and dry mass as compared to the other treatments. Weed infestation was found to be higher in the chicken
manure treatments which had severe weed coverage, followed by the kraal manure treatments with intermediate
weed coverage and finally the inorganic fertilizers treatment with least weed coverage. The application of
chicken manure at 60 t/ha is preferred as it was associated with higher leaf number, leaf area , fresh and dry
weights of lettuce. The application of chicken manures at 60 t/ha is therefore recommended for farmers to use
to obtain higher yields of lettuce.
Key words: Chicken manure, kraal manure, Lactuca sativa L., subtropical environment, yield, ,
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Cite this Reference:
Michael T. Masarirambi, Bekhumusa M. Mbokazi, Paul K. Wahome and Tajudeen O. Oseni, . Effects of Kraal Manure, Chicken Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var Commander) in a Semi-arid Environment. Asian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, (1): 58-64.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-3890
ISSN (Print): 2041-3882 |
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