The Effect of Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources on The Growth and Seed Yield of Bambara Nut (Vigna Subterranean (L) Verdc) Variety

The research was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, of Federal University Wukari, Taraba State Nigeria, during the raining seasons of 2016 and 2017 to assess the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and seed yield of Bambara nut varieties. The treatments consisted of two varieties of Bambara nuts, (white and black varieties) and the fertilizers: organic (10, 20t ha-1 of poultry manure), and inorganic (30 and 60kgN ha-1 of Urea) with a control. These were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with four replications. The data collected were on the growth and seed yield parameters of the crop and were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the differences among treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability. The results showed that N fertilizer application rate of 30kgN ha-1 produced significant number of leaves, nodes, flowers, and plant height. Application of 20t ha-1 poultry manure produced highest significant number of branches while urea application of 60kgN ha-1 produced significantly highest pod weight. The control (without fertilizer) gave the significant highest weight of bad seeds while Poultry manure at 10t ha-1 produced significant highest number of seeds, seed weight and number of pods. Therefore, application of 10t ha-1 poultry manure and 30kgN/ha urea are optimum to produce Bambara nut.

Keywords: Bambara nut; Poultry manure; Urea; Growth; Yield; Variety