EFFECTOFORGANIC(POULTRYMANURE)ANDINORGANIC(NPK) FERTILIZER ONTHEGERMINATIONANDEARLYGROWTHOF VITELLARIA PARADOXA (SHEA BUTTER)
Abstract
This study examined the effects of organic (poultry manure) and inorganic (NPK)
fertilizers on the germination and early growth of Vitellaria paradoxa (shea tree)
seedlings. The experiment was conducted at the Botanical Garden of Gombe State
University under sanitary nursery conditions using a Completely Randomized Design
with three treatments: organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer, and a control without
fertilizer. Data were collected on seed germination percentage, plant height, number
of leaves, and stem diameter over a four-week period. The results indicated that seeds
treated with organic fertilizer exhibited the highest germination and superior early
seedling growth. The control treatment recorded moderate germination and growth
performance. In contrast, no germination was observed in the inorganic fertilizer
treatment throughout the study period. Growth parameters increased progressively
over time in both the organic and control treatments, although differences among
treatments were not statistically significant at some stages (p > .05). The absence of
germination in the inorganic fertilizer treatment may be attributed to fertilizer burn,
high salt concentration, or seed sensitivity to chemical fertilizers during early
developmental stages. The findings suggest that organic fertilizer is more suitable for
the germination and early growth of Vitellaria paradoxa seedlings. It is therefore
recommended that poultry manure be used for nursery propagation of the species,
while the application of inorganic fertilizer should be delayed until later growth
stages
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