Use of plant tonic solution fertilizers for improving the soil fertility and yield of pop corn (Zea mays cv. Everta) and melon (Cucumeropsis edulis) intercrop.
Moyin-Jesu E. I., Akinwale O.
Author Affiliation: Agronomy Department, Federal College of Agriculture, Ondo-State, Nigeria.
Discovery and Innovation 14 : 192-201
Abstract : An investigation was carried out at Akure in rain forest zone of Nigeria to determine the effectiveness of liquid plant tonic or extract solution fertilizers on the soil and leaf chemical composition, growth and yield of pop corn (Zea mays cv. Everta) and melon (Cucumeropsis edulis) intercrop from 1997 to 1000. Six manurial tonic fertilizers were used namely mango, cashew, coffee, gliricidia and cocoa leaves tonic solutions applied at 3 litres (3000 ml) per 16 m2 plot (1875 litres/ha), replicated three times with NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer 400 kg/ha and a control (no fertilizer; no manure) arranged in a randomized complete block design for both the pop corn, melon sole crops and pop corn/melon intercrop. The chemical analysis of the plant tonic solution and the soils were determined. The results showed that the plant tonic or extract solutions increased significantly (P0.05) the soil nutrients, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem girth and yield of both pop corn and melon in sole and intercrop relative to the control treatment. The land equivalent ratio was calculated to be 1.20 indicating higher yield advantage of the intercrop. The mango leaf solution was found to be the best in influencing the soil, leaf nutrients and yields of pop corn and melon in both sole and intercrop. The mango leaf solution had higher soil and leaf Ca, Mg, P and Na than NPK fertilizer for the sole and intercrop.