COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF DIFFERENT ORGANIC MANURES ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF HUCKLEBERRY (Solanum scabrum) PRODUCTION IN THE MOUNT CAMEROON REGION
By: Victor Eyong Ayuk | Department of Development Studies | Environment and Agriculture
ABSTRACT
In Cameroon, vegetable production is an important socio-economic activity among small scale farmers. However, due to some natural and man-made activities vegetable yields and production is dwindling with worrying consequences for household food security and income of farmers. This study was carried out to assess the effects of different organic manures on the growth and yield of huckleberry (Solanum scabrum) production in the Mt. Cameroon Region. The study employed a randomized complete block design with four replicates on 12 plots of 2m by 2m each. The treatments included 0.17 tonha-1 of poultry manure, 0.17 tonha-1 of pig manure and 0.017 tonha-1 of cow dung and no manure for the control. The manures were collected from local farmers and the Buea Upper farms prisons. The parameters measured were plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and weight of yield. The results showed that poultry manure highly significantly (P<0.05) affected the plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter and weight of huckleberry. Poultry manure recorded the maximum mean height (38.30cm), stem diameter (74mm) and weight (4314kg/ha). On the bases of the foregoing, the study concluded that poultry manure is relatively effective in enhancing growth and yield of huckleberry and can be recommended to farmers as the most effective organic manure in the production of huckleberry.
Keywords: Organic manure, production, huckleberry, Poultry manure, pig manure, cow manure, Mt. Cameroon Region.