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Mohammed Adams Latif

Effect of Okoro [(Albizia zygia (J.F.) Macbr)] Leafy Biomass and NPK Fertiliser on the Growth and Yield of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annum L.)

Apr 4, 2024 |

Adams Latif Mohammed

ABSTRACT. Agricultural productivity and sustainable crop management are pivotal aspects of global food security and economic stability. The quest for efficient and environmentally friendly practices in crop production has led to a surge in research exploring the utilisation of organic materials alongside conventional fertilisers to enhance crop growth and yield. An experiment was conducted over a growing period of three months, starting in August 2023 at the research field of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana, to investigate the effects of Albizia zygia leafy biomass in combination with NPK fertiliser on the growth and yield of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.). A randomised complete block design was employed with four treatment groups replicated four times, including various combinations of A. zygia leafy biomass and NPK fertiliser, alongside control groups of sole fertiliser application and untreated plots (T1). The treatments were as follows: T1 = No biomass, no NPK (control); T2 = 0.5348 kg of A. zygia leafy biomass per 4.86 m2 (1100.5 kg/ha of A. zygia leafy biomass); T3 = 0.2463 kg of NPK per 4.86 m2 (506.7 kg/ha of NPK); and T4 = 0.2674 kg of A. zygia leafy biomass per 4.86 m2 + 0.1231 kg of NPK (550.3 kg/ha of A. zygia leafy biomass + 253.4 kg/ha of NPK). The assessed parameters were plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, fruit yield and fresh fruit weight. Significant variations (p ˂ 0.05) were observed in the growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, number of branches) and yield attributes (fruit yield and fresh fruit weight) of sweet pepper among the treatments. The combined application of A. zygia leafy biomass and NPK fertiliser (T4) exhibited increased effects on plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, fruit yield and fresh fruit weight compared to individual treatments and control groups (p ˂ 0.05). Notably, the treatment combining A. zygia leafy biomass and NPK fertiliser (T4) demonstrated a substantial increase in plant height (44.58 cm), a significant improvement in the number of leaves (42.98) and a remarkable enhancement in the number of branches (11.33) compared to the sole applications and the control group. Furthermore, the combined treatment significantly increased (p ˂ 0.05) the yield parameters, including fruit yield and fresh fruit weight per hectare, showcasing an increase of 8796/ha and 23.91 t/ha, respectively, compared to sole fertiliser application and the control. The findings from this study demonstrated that the incorporation of A. zygia leafy biomass, either solely or in combination with NPK fertiliser, positively impacted the growth and yield of sweet pepper plants. These results highlight the potential of A. zygia leafy biomass as a valuable organic amendment for sustainable and enhanced crop production, offering promising implications for agricultural practices aimed at improving yield and plant growth.

Keywords: Albizia zygia; Capsicum annum (L.); NPK fertiliser; organic amendment; sweet pepper.

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Effect of Gliricidia sepium Leafy Biomass and NPK (15:15:15) Fertiliser on the Growth and Yield of Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum (L.)

Sep 12, 2023 |

Adams Latif Mohammed, Esther Korkor Nartey, Frank Addai, Samuel Arthur, Elvis Bawah

ABSTRACT. The use of organic amendments and appropriate nutrient management practices is essential for sustainable agricultural production. The present study investigated the effect of Gliricidia sepium leafy biomass and NPK (15:15:15) on the growth and yield of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.). A randomised complete block design with five treatments and four replicates was employed in this experiment. The treatments included T1 (Control), T2 (100% G. sepium leafy biomass), T3 (25% G. sepium leafy biomass + 75% NPK fertiliser), T4 (50% G. sepium leafy biomass + 50% NPK), T5 (100% NPK), and T6 (75% G. sepium leafy biomass + 25% NPK). The application of G. sepium leafy biomass and NPK had significant effects on tomato growth and yield (p˂0.05). The combined application of G. sepium leafy biomass and NPK (T4) and the sole application of G. sepium leafy biomass (T2) resulted in the highest plant height, stem girth, and fruit yield compared to the other treatments. Additionally, treatment with 75% Gliricidia leafy biomass and 25% NPK fertiliser (T6) resulted in a superior fruit weight compared to the other treatments. The application of G. sepium leafy biomass (T2) alone and NPK alone (T5) showed a significant improvement in plant growth parameters and fruit yield compared to the control (T1), although the effects were not as pronounced when combined with NPK (T4). The application of NPK fertiliser (T3) also positively influenced plant growth and yield, but the effects were lower compared to T2, T4, and T6. Further studies are warranted to optimise the application rates of G. sepium leafy biomass and NPK for different tomato cultivars and growing conditions.

Keywords: agroforestry tree species; crop nutrition; fertilisers; growth; tomato plant.

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Germination and Early Growth Performance of Prekese, Tetrapleura Tetraptera to Seed Pretreatment Methods and Phosphorus Fertilizer in the Nursery Phase

Jun 8, 2023 |

Adams Latif Mohammed, Frank Addai, Joseph Cobbinah, Elvis Bawa

ABSTRACT. Seeds of Tetrapleura tetraptera trees have poor germination due to their hard and impervious seed coat. This research was conducted to determine the possibilities of reducing seed dormancy using seed pretreatment via the application of sulphuric acid and hot water and then phosphorus for better seedling growth. Seeds pretreated with sulphuric acid had a significantly (P˂0.05) increased germination rate (by 60%) compared to seeds pretreated with hot water (40%). The application of phosphorus fertilizer stimulated the early growth of the species. This research provides information for practical use.

Keywords: germination; hot water; phosphorus fertilizer; sulphuric acid; Tetrapleura tetraptera.

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Effect of Leucaena leucocephala Leafy Biomass and NPK Fertiliser on The Growth and Yield of Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench

Apr 12, 2023 |

Adams Latif Mohammed, Kaddiri Nanbaala Kumodu Nasim, Ali Moro

ABSTRACT. Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, is a multipurpose vegetable crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world for its immature seed pods and leaves. The crop seldom reaches its yield potential in most of these areas, primarily due to a decline in soil fertility. As a result, a field experiment was carried out at the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Demonstration Farm, KNUST-Kumasi to assess the effect of NPK (15:15:15) fertiliser and Leucaena leucocephala leafy biomass application on the growth and yield of okra. The treatment combinations were laid out in a 3 × 3 factorial randomised complete block design with 9 treatments replicated 4 times for a total of 36 experimental units. Leucaena leafy biomass and NPK were evaluated solely and in combinations at a rate of 75 kgN/ha on a weight basis. The treatment combinations were applied as follows: T1 = Control; T2 = 0.14 kg NPK (15:15:15); T3 = 0.07 kg NPK (15:15:15); T4 = 0.5 kg L. leucocephala leafy biomass; T5 = 0.25 kg L. leucocephala leafy biomass; T6 = T2 + T4; T7 = T3 + T5; T8 = T2 + T5; T9 = T3 + T4. The number of days from planting to the first anthesis of okra differed significantly (p ˂ 0.05). T3 showed the least number of days to the first anthesis observation (47 days), while T9 had the highest number of days to the first anthesis (49.3 days). On a weekly basis (starting with 5 weeks after planting, WAP), height was not significantly different among the various treatments. Stem diameter followed a sequence similar to plant height, starting from 5 to 10 WAP, where no significant differences occurred between treatment means. However, mean values revealed that okra plants varied significantly in height; T9 had the tallest plants (27.2 cm), while T2 and T8 had the shortest plants (21.2 and 21.2 cm, respectively). There was a significant difference between the treatment means and stem diameter. In the same advanced line, T9 had the highest stem diameter (9.9 mm), with T5 having the lowest stem diameter (6.9 mm). Fruit yield was also significantly different, with T4 having the most fruit (39,259 fruits per ha) and T8 having the least (19,259 fruits per ha). The fruit dry weight was significantly different, as the highest weight was recorded in T7 (12.5 tonnes/ha) and the lowest was recorded in T9 (5.3 tonnes/ha). The combination treatment T9 [0.07 kg NPK (15:15:15) fertiliser + 0.5 kg L. leucocephala leafy biomass per plot] had a significantly improved height and diameter compared to the other treatments. The highest fruit yield of okra was recorded in T4 (0.5 kg L. leucocephala leafy biomass per plot), and the highest dry weight of okra was registered in T7 (0.07 kg NPK (15:15:15) fertiliser + 0.25 kg L. leucocephala leafy biomass per plot). Therefore, it is recommended that sole L. leucocephala leafy biomass (T4) and its combination with NPK (15:15:15) fertiliser (T9) be adopted by smallholder farmers to cultivate okra in the tropics.

Keywords: effect; organic fertiliser; inorganic fertiliser; okra production.

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Effect of Moringa (Moringa Oleifera) Leaf Powder, Neem (Azadirachta Indica) Leaf Powder and Camphor on Weevil (Callosobruchus Maculatus F.) in Stored Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp) Seeds

Feb 23, 2023 |

Adams Latif Mohammed, Mariam Iddriss

ABSTRACT. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), one of the most important leguminous crops, is widely cultivated throughout the tropics, especially in the savanna regions of the world. However, its seed is attacked by several insect pests both in the field and in storage, especially the cowpea weevil. To control weevils, most farmers have adopted the use of chemical insecticides, but these insecticides come with health and environmental problems, and as a result, there is advocacy for the use of bio-pesticides in the form of tree botanicals. This study was conducted to assess the effects of neem leaf powder (NLP), moringa leaf powder (MLP), and camphor against the cowpea weevils (Callosobruchus maculatus) in a completely randomized design. Six treatments were used and allocated as T1 (control), T2 (4g of camphor), T3 (25g of NLP only), T4 (25g of MLP only) T5 (50g of NLP only) and T6 (50g of MLP). The treatments were replicated three times. The parameters studied were the numbers of damaged and undamaged seeds, the numbers of dead and live weevils, and the taste of cowpea seeds. The treatments effectively protected the cowpea seeds during the storage period of eight weeks. The preservation of cowpea seeds given by camphor was significantly different from the other treatments. However, there was no significant difference (p >0.05) between the neem and moringa leaf powders treatments. The use of moringa and neem leaf powders might be adopted by cowpea farmers in sub-Saharan Africa as alternative, cheap, and available sources of biopesticides to use as chemical insecticides. If cowpea seeds are to be stored for consumption purposes, moringa leaf powder should be used since most respondents preferred the taste of cowpea seeds treated with moringa. Additionally, the storage duration of eight weeks was too short for the experiment, so further studies can be carried out for an extended period of more than eight weeks.

Keywords: neem; moringa; cowpea seeds; biopesticide; storage.

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© by the authors; licensee Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment, Iasi, Romania. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)