Abstract

Effects of cassava peels and poultry manure based compost and their sole applications on soil properties, growth and yield of waterleaf were investigated at the University of Calabar Teaching and Research Farm during 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons.  The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.  There were seven treatments consisting of mixture of cassava peels and poultry manure (compost), sole application of composted cassava peels and poultry manure each applied at two rates (4 and 8 t/ha) and control (without amendment). The results obtained showed that soil pH, total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) were significantly increased with levels of application of treatments compared to control with plots fertilized with compost at 8 t/ha having a higher significant influence on most of the soil chemical properties. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) among treatments in plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, number of branches, stem girth and fresh yield of waterleaf. Generally, application of compost irrespective of the rate of application, enhanced waterleaf growth and yield better compared to other treatments. Compost applied at 8 t/ha had the best mean fresh yield of 17.86, 22.92 and 22.34 t/ha at 4, 7 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP) which out yielded the control by 66.41, 77.53 and 77.44%, respectively. This study has demonstrated that the use of cassava peels in the preparation of compost for crop production would be more economical and will also be a useful development in sustainable food production as well as in promoting environmental safety.

Key words: Waterleaf, poultry manure, cassava peels, compost, Ultisol.