Performance of cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) as influenced by poultry droppings and NPK fertilizer in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The effects of NPK fertilizer and poultry droppings on the growth and yield of cassava were tested in a field experiment conducted at the Federal College of Forestry demonstration farm from March 2024 to November 2024. Four treatments; poultry droppings (PD) (5 t/ha), NPK fertilizer (120 kg/ha), poultry droppings plus NPK fertilizer (5 t/ha + 120 kg/ha), and control (no amendments) were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated four times. Data were collected on Plant height (cm), Stem girth (cm), Number of
branches per plant, Leaf area, Plant Canopy, number of tubers, weight of tuber (kg/tuber), tuber diameter (mm), Tuber yield (tons/ha) and Biomass (tons/ha). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GenStat 18th Edition. Treatment means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at p < 0.05. The application of poultry droppings gave the highest plant height (172.00 cm), Poultry droppings and NPK fertilizer applied together resulted in the maximum number of branches (2.00), leaf area (795.12 cm2), stem girth (8.45 cm), canopy spread (281.00 cm), number of tubers (7.5), and larger diameter tubers (57.00 mm). Compared to the
single application of poultry droppings and NPK fertilizer and the control, the combined application of PD + NPK fertilizer improved the growth and yield parameters of cassava. Therefore, the combined application of poultry droppings and NPK fertilizer significantly affect the growth and yield parameters of cassava and can be recommended that cassava growers in the study area employ a combination of NPK fertilizer and chicken droppings. For maximum cassava productivity, further research should be done on the appropriate rates of NPK fertilizer and poultry droppings.