Growth and Yield Response of Cowpea (Vignaunguiculata) to Poultry and Cattle Manure as Amendments on Sandy Loam Soil Plot.

Abstract

The effect of cattle and poultry manures on growth and yield of TVx3236 cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) variety was investigated. The effect of added manures on the fertility and salinity levels of the receiving soil was also evaluated on 10x20 m sandy loam plot containing eight 10x2 m ridges. After the establishment of the cowpea crops, plant parameters like height, stem girth and leaf area index were measured while the yield parameters like average length of one pod, number of pod/stand, weight of 20 grains and total weight of bean grain per 20 m2 were also measured. It was observed from the results that a combination of poultry and cattle manures gave better leaf area of 1.445 cm over either of cattle and poultry manure which were 1.191 and 1.215 cm, respectively. Other growth parameters were affected by the application of these manures if compared with crop on the control plot. The plot treated with poultry waste alone has the highest yield of 854 kg ha-1. The applied manures have significant effect on soil chemical and organic parameters. Soil organic matter for instance increased from 438 mg L-1 for control plot to 865 mg L-1 on poultry and cattle manure plot while the electrical conductivity increased from 66.7-90 dS m-1. It can be concluded from this research that while the effect of organic manure on the fertility level of soil is high, its usage should also be regulated to avoid salt build up that can render the receiving soil too saline.