Comparative effects of different organic manure on agronomic performances of Corchorus olitorus in rainforest agro-ecological zone of South Western Nigeria

Abstract Low soil fertility is one of the main factors for the low productivity of vegetables in Nigeria. The effect of different organic manures on the agronomic performance of Corchorus olitorus was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) at the Teaching, Commercial and Research Farms of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State. Four treatments namely: poultry manure (PM) 50kg/20m2, pig dung (PD) 50kg/20m2, cow dung (CD) 50kg/20m2 and control (with no manure) were evaluated and replicated 4 times. Results shows that plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, and leave area index at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after planting (WAP) and yield were significantly influence by the application of organic manures compared to control. C. olitorus responded to the manure application in the following order; PM, PD, CD and plot with no manure amendment (control). The higher major nutrients constituents in PM and PD has influence on the growth and yield of C. olitorus. Therefore, the cultivation of C. olitorus in South West Nigeria could be a profitable enterprise as against popular belief if emphasis is placed on the use of fertilizers from organic sources.