Nutrient Status and Ameliorating Effects of Poultry Droppings on Soil pH and Sustainable Production of Garden Egg

Abstract: Sustainable production of crops on tropical soils requires soil amendment to remediate soil acidity status and raise fertility level. Industrial lime and inorganic fertilizers are either not available or too expensive to buy. This study was carried out with the objective of investigating the effects of poultry droppings on soil acidity amelioration and increased fertility for sustained production of garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum L.).The field trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farms of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and the Faculty of Agriculture, Cross River University of Technology, Obubra in 2009 and 2010. Two varieties of African garden egg (Gilo and Kumba) and three rates of poultry droppings (5, 10 and 15 t ha^-1) were in factorial combinations. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications.  The results obtained showed that all rates of the manure reduced the soil pH within 30 days after incorporation in both years and locations. At 60 days after application, and up to 140 days after incorporation, all manure rates increased the soil pH in both locations and years. The highest increase occurred with 15 t ha^-1 poultry droppings at 140 days after incorporation. With no manure application, there was a steady decrease in pH up to the harvest time. All manure rates significantly (P<0.05) increased the yield of the garden egg varieties over when no manure was used. Poultry droppings at 15 t ha^-1 produced the highest fruit yield in both years and locations. The crop yields were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Makurdi than Obubra in both years. Yield for 2010 was significantly higher than 2009 in both locations. Poultry dropping at the rate of 15 t ha^-1 may be used to remediate soil pH and improve fertility for sustainable production of garden egg in the Guinea savanna or the Rainforest agro-ecologies.