AMADI, D.S., IKPE, F.N., NWONUALA, A.I. AND MBONU, O.A (2011) Effect of time of mulch and fertilizer Application on the field performance of Ginger in the Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria. Acta Agronomica Nigeriana. Vol. 11(1&2) 34-39.
Abstract:
A field experiment was carried out in 2008 and 2009 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt to investigate the yield of Amaranthus as influenced by oil palm bunch residue ash(OBRA) (‘0,4,and 6 t ha’) and urea (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha’) applications. The experiment was (3X4)X4 factorial laid out in randomized complete block design ‘RC’BD) on a Typic paleudult of the acid sands of Port Harcourt. The application of OBRA and urea increased soil pH, organic matter nitrogen, phosphorus, ca/c/urn and magnasium at harvest. The application rate of 6t ha’ OBRA/50 kg Nha4 gave the maximum yield of 3.6 and 3.2 tha-4 in 2008 and2009, respectively while the application rate of 4 t ha’ OBRA / 50 kg Nha-4 gave a sustainably economic yield of3. 0 and 2.0 t ha’ in 2008 and 2009, respectively Fresh leaf yield gathered from control plots was 0.6 and 0.7 t ha’ in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Keywords: Oil palm Bunch Residue Ash, Urea, Amaranthus, Yield, Acid Sands and Soil Chemical Properties.