Varietal Performance of Jute Mallow (Corchorus olitorius) as Affected by Different rates of Cow Dung Manure on an Ultisol, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Horticulture Section of Kabba College of Agriculture to investigate the effects of different rates of cow dung manure on the growth and yield of three varieties of jute mallow. The experiment was a factorial, consisted of four levels of cow dung, which were 0 t/ha, 2.5 t/ha, 5 t/ha and 10 t/ha and three varieties of jute mallow which were Onyan, Angbadu and Oniyaya. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Fifteen plants from each plot were randomly selected and used for the assessment of growth characters and fruit characters. Data collected were subjected to the statistical analysis of variance procedure while, the mean treatments were separated using least significant difference. The result shows that all the cow dung amended plots were significantly better than the control plots in terms of growth characters irrespective of the rate of its application. Among the cow dung rates, cow dung applied at 10 t/ha had the highest plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight, though this was not significantly different from cow dung applied at 2.5 t/ha and 5 t/ha. Plots without cow dung (control) produced the least plant height (39.7 cm), number of leaves, fresh and dry weight. Onyan produced highest growth characters; this was closely followed by Oniyaya while Agbadu recorded the least value of growth characters. Interaction of cow dung rate and variety on plant height was not significant throughout the period of experiment. The result also shows that numbers of pod produced were higher in plots with 10 t/ha, (17) though, plots with 5t/ha produced the greatest number of seed (198) and seed weight per plot (3.92 kg). However, all these were significantly better than the control plots. Among the cultivars considered in this experiment, Onyan had better growth and yield character which was significantly better than either Agbadu or Oniyaya varieties. The result indicated that leaf production, fresh weight and seed yield were highest in variety Onyan when cow dung was applied at 5 t/ha. It is therefore recommended to farmers growing jute mallow in the study area.