Effect of Different Soil Amendments on the Proximate Content and Foliar Nutrient Yield of Telfairia occidentalis
J. Emah, Happiness *
Department of Botany and Ecological Studies, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
I. E. Okon
Department of Botany and Ecological Studies, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This research focuses on the comparatively analysis of the effect of different soil amendments, Rice-husk ash (RHA), Gliricidia sepium leaves, Rice-husk ash mixed with Gliricidia sepium leaves and NPK fertilizer on the proximate content and foliar nutrient yield of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin).
Study Design: The research was carried out on a field, A Randomized Complete Block Design was used, the treatments were randomly incorporated into three beds each and three other beds were set aside as control.
Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out in the nursery of the Department of Botany and Ecological Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Uyo main campus, Akwa Ibom State. The entire research lasted between November to February, 2024.
Methodology: Two kilogramme (2kg) of Rice-husk ash was mixed on three (3) randomly chosen beds, 2kg of oven dried Gliricidia sepium leaves was incorporated into three (3) randomly chosen beds, 1kg of rice-husk ash and 1kg of Gliricidia sepium leaves was mixed and incorporated into another set of three (3) randomly chosen beds, each of the above treatment was applied into the soil for 48hours before the planting of seeds. 30g of NPK fertilizer (15:15:15) was applied on three (3) randomly chosen beds using the ring method, four (4) weeks after planting seedling emergence and then another three (3) randomly chosen beds was set aside as control. Four (4) seeds were planted per bed. Thinning was done 3 weeks after germination to leave three (3) stands per bed. After harvest, the Foliar proximate Analysis for ash, crude fibre, crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrates using the method of AOAC and Foliar nutrient analysis for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium was done using mass spectrometry.
Results: The foliar nutrient yield of Telfairia occidentalis planted with RHA mixed with G. sepium amendment showed higher nutrient uptake for Phophorus, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium. There was no significant difference (p≤0.05) in the Nitrogen uptake between NPK and the mixture of RHA and G. sepium leaves treated plants. Proximate composition results showed that the control plant and RHA mixed with G. sepium had low moisture content. Soil amended with RHA, Gliricidia sepium and a mixture of both recorded high ash content whereas the NPK treated plants was low. RHA mixed with G. sepium amended soil produce plants with the highest protein content while the control plant was low in protein. The crude Fibre and lipid was high in NPK treated plant and this was significantly differenceat (p≤0.05) from the other treatment. Carbohydrates was high in the control and energy was highest in the NPK treated plants.
Conclusion: From the results obtained, RHA, G. sepium and RHA mixed with G. sepium leaves have great potential as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers, offering long-term soil fertility enhancement as they provide a sustainable approach for optimizing Telfairia occidentalis growth, ensuring higher yields and better nutrient efficiency in nutrient-depleted soil.
Keywords: Rice-husk ash, Gliricidia sepium, inorganic fertilizer, proximate content, foliar nutrient