EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TILLAGE METHODS AND POULTRY MANURE APPLICATION ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF OKRA
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the effect of different tillage methods and poultry manure application on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, in March 2025. The objectives were to determine the influence of tillage methods and poultry manure on okra performance, identify the tillage practice that minimises degradation of soil physical and chemical properties, and assess the effectiveness of reduced or zero tillage practices for okra production under mechanised systems. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with eight replications. Treatments consisted of four tillage methods (zero tillage, ridge, seedbed, and heap) combined with poultry manure application and non-manured plots. Poultry manure was sun-dried for two days before application. Growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, and stem girth) were collected at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after planting (WAP), while yield parameters (root length, fruit length, fruit number, and fruit weight) were assessed at harvest. Data were analysed using Genstat 4.0 and means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% significance level. Results showed that ridge tillage with poultry manure produced the best overall performance, recording the highest plant height (70.5 cm), leaf number (16.9), stem girth (2.9 cm), root length (37.0 cm), fruit length (11.5 cm), fruit number (11.0), and fruit weight (16 g). Heap tillage with manure also gave high values, while zero tillage without manure consistently produced the lowest growth and yield. The study concluded that ridge and heap tillage combined with poultry manure significantly improved okra growth and productivity, while zero tillage without manure was less effective. Therefore, ridge or heap tillage with poultry manure application is recommended for enhanced okra production in the study area.
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