Effects of Organic Manure Source and Weeding Frequencies on Growth Parameters of Jute Mallow (Corchorus olitorious)

Abstract

Field trials were carried out during 2018 and during 2019 dry season periods at Federal College of Forestry and Mechanization Afaka Kaduna, located between latitude 10° 35”N and longitude 007° 21”E at altitude 644 m above sea level, to determine the effects of organic manure source and weeding frequencies on growth parameters of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorious). The experimental treatments consists of ten combinations of poultry manure + weed free, cow dung + weed free, goat dropping + weed free, poultry manure + weeding at 2 WAT, cow dung + weeding at 2 WAT, goat dropping + weeding at 2 WAT, poultry manure + weeding at 4 WAT, cow dung + weeding at 4 WAT, goat dropping + weeding at 4 WAT and  no organic manure application + no weeding which were laid out in a randomize complete block design (RCBD) and replicated 3 times The growth parameters observed  and measured were crop vigour score, plant height, shoot diameter, number of leaves and number of  primary branches. Result of the study showed that at harvest (8 WAT) all the treatments significantly affected the vigour of jute mallow crop and gave comparable score than the least observed with no nutrient + no weeding as control. The result revealed that plant growth at harvest exhibited significantly taller plant with application of poultry manure + weeding at 2 WAT. In conclusion the result obtained from the study showed that poultry manure at 4 tons /ha + weeding at 4 WAT resulted in taller plant height, wider shoot diameter, increased number of leaves, number of branches than all other treatment due to lower weed infestation, it is therefore recommended as the best treatment combination to obtained the best growth rate of jute mallow.