See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/284103914

Use of different organic fertilizers on soil fertility improvement, growth and

head yield parameters of cabbage (Brassica oleraceae L)

Article · November 2015

DOI: 10.1007/s40093-015-0108-0

CITATIONS READS

42 1,445

1 author:

Moyin-Jesu Emmanuel Ibukunoluwa

Federal College Of Agriculture
40 PUBLICATIONS   388 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Youth inclusiveness, job creation and food security View project

Evaluating economic benefits of using different fertilizers on soil quality growth and yield parameters of moringa oleifera and okra (Abelmoschus esculentum L) in a
sole and intercrop system View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Moyin-Jesu Emmanuel Ibukunoluwa on 19 March 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult (2015) 4:291–298
DOI 10.1007/s40093-015-0108-0

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Use of different organic fertilizers on soil fertility improvement,

growth and head yield parameters of cabbage
(Brassica oleraceae L)
Emmanuel Ibukunoluwa Moyin-Jesu1

Received: 10 February 2015 / Accepted: 6 October 2015 / Published online: 9 November 2015
Ó The Author(s) 2015. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com

Abstract N were also recorded under rice bran treatment. However,

Purpose Field experiment was carried out in Akure in the the highest K/Ca, K/Mg and P/Mg ratios of 93.1, 74.1 and
rainforest zone of Nigeria to determine the effect of poultry 572.1, respectively, were obtained under NPK 15-15-15
manure, wood ash and rice bran on the soil fertility fertilizer application compared to 2:1 K/Ca, 2:1 K/Mg and
improvement, growth and head yield of cabbage (Brassica 16:1 P/Mg in rice bran treatment.
oleraceae L) in 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons. Conclusion The poultry manure applied at 6 t/ha gave the
Methods The three organic fertilizer treatments were best results in improving soil fertility, growth and head
applied each at 6 t/ha with a reference treatment NPK yield of cabbage, and this was because of its balanced
15-15-15 applied at 300 kg/ha and a control treatment nutrient composition and the least C/N ratio.
arranged in a randomized complete block design with three
replicates. Keywords Cabbage (Brassica oleraceae)
Head yield
Results The results showed significant increases and growth parameters
Organic fertilizers and soil fertility
(P \ 0.05) in the growth and head yield parameters of improvement
cabbage crop under the different organic fertilizers com-
pared to the control treatment. The application of poultry
manure resulted in the highest values of cabbage plant Introduction
height, stem girth, leaf number, leaf area, head weight,
head length and head girth followed by NPK 15-15-15, Cabbage is a leafy vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae
wood ash and rice bran, respectively. Cabbage head family which is originated from California. Hague (2006)
weight, head girth, head length, plant height, stem girth, cabbage is also an herbaceous biennial plant that produces
leaf number and leaf area increased by 17, 18, 8,17, 19, 10 ‘‘heads’’, and it has short stem upon which is crowned with
and 16 %, respectively, with application of poultry manure a mass of green leaves (John 1997).
compared to NPK fertilizer. Also, these parameters Cabbage is consumed raw or cooked with other veg-
increased by 23, 21, 13 29, 25, 17 and 45 % compared to etables; it contains 93 ml water, 15 g protein, 0.2 g fat,
the wood ash treatment. The highest values of soil pH, Ca 4.0 g carbohydrate, 4 g calcium and 0.5 g iron/100 g
and Mg were obtained under wood ash application, while sample (Moamogwe 1995). In addition, it has high
the highest values of soil O.M and moderate values of soil medicinal value because of its rich content in vitamins C, E
P, K, Ca and Mg were obtained under poultry manure and K as well as its antioxidant components which sup-
application. Moderate values of soil pH, K, Ca and low % pressed cancerous cell growth (Tindall 2000). It is one
important vegetable in healthy diets of people around the
world.
& Emmanuel Ibukunoluwa Moyin-Jesu In spite of the economic, nutritional and health impor-
moyinjesu2004@yahoo.com
tance of cabbage to the national development, its optimum
1
Agronomy Department, Federal College of Agriculture, production has not been achieved due to its difficult
Akure, Ondo, Nigeria agronomic characteristics, decline in soil fertility, lack of

123
292 Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult (2015) 4:291–298

techniques of growing the crop in both the nursery and the deleterious effect on soil productivity on a long-term
field. However, efforts made to increase the soil fertility basis.
through the use of inorganic fertilizers are limited due to Finally, Afshar et al. (2014) reported that soil organic
high cost of purchase and continuous use which destroyed amendments improved the seed yield and flavonolignan
soil properties (Moyin-Jesu 2008). production of milk thistle (Silyburn marianum L, Gaertin)
Besides, the climatic condition for growing cabbage in compared to chemical fertilizers. Critical review of litera-
temperate region is between 20 and 25 °C and adaptation ture revealed that there is scarcity of research report on the
of the crop to Nigeria, especially south-west, is difficult use of wood ash, rice bran and poultry manure in growing
because temperature is between 29 and 37 °C. In other cabbage except the works of Moyin-Jesu and Odewande
parts of the country (Northern region), the temperature (2013b); Ijoyah and Sophie (2009) and Mohammed and
ranged between 36 and 41 °C except the Jos Plateau where Solaiman (2012) working on varietal trial of cabbage and
temperature is about 24–27 °C. tillage influence on cabbage yield.
Therefore, there is justification to adapt the cultivation The choice of wood ash, rice bran and poultry manure as
of cabbage to the climatic condition in Nigeria, especially source of organic materials in the research study was
in south-west, as well as adopting the use of low-cost because of their availability and abundance in large
organic fertilizers for the crop cultivation. Kwari et al. quantities from the experimental location and its sur-
(1991) found that the incorporation of grass cow dung into rounding communities where majority of the farmers are
the soils in Borno state improved the cation exchange predominantly cassava, rice growers with associated pro-
capacity of the soils. Solomon and Ogeh (1995) indicated cessing mills and poultry producers. Moyin-Jesu and Oje-
that leguminous materials and rice husk supplied mainly N, niyi (2006) also reported that application of rice bran wood
P, K, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn and B to the soil which NPK 15-15- ash and spent grain significantly reduced soil bulk density
15 fertilizer did not possess. and increased porosity. Hence, the use of wood ash and rice
Ojeniyi et al. (2001) also reported that application of bran as organic amendments would also have strong ben-
wood ash to the vegetable crops improved the yield of eficial improvement on soil physical properties and base
crops significantly and increased the soil nutrients such as saturation.
N, P, K, Ca, Mg in a trial conducted in south-west Nigeria.
Awodun (2007) also reported that sawdust applied to soil
significantly increased soil and leaf N, P, K Ca and Mg Purpose of the experiment
contents and number of pods, pod weight, number of
branches, number of leaves and grain yield of cowpea. The following research questions would be answered for
Moyin-Jesu (2013a) reported that the modified neem the experiment: (1) Is there any significant difference
extracts (neem leaf ? wood ash extracts) increased sig- between applied organic fertilizers on growth and head
nificantly the garden egg fruit weight, fruit length and fruit yield parameters of cabbage? (2) Is there any significant
diameter by 42, 24 and 13 % compared to NPK 15-15-15 difference between the applied organic fertilizers and post-
fertilizer. He also observed that continuous application of cropping soil properties?
NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer decreased soil pH, Ca, Mg and The objectives of the research were to determine the
O.M as well as having highest K/Ca, K/Mg and P/Mg ratio effect of wood ash, rice bran and poultry manure on the
caused soil nutrient imbalance. growth and yield parameters of cabbage and on post-
Moyin-Jesu and Ogochukwu (2014) also reported that cropping soil properties.
poultry manure applied at 6 t/ha increased the soil N, P, K,
Ca and Mg concentrations and growth parameters of
coconut seedlings. He also reported that the organic Materials and methods
materials applied (wood ash, rice bran and so firth) have
beneficial residual effects on soil properties which are in Description of the study area
line with growing concern of using environment friendly
fertilizer. Field and nursery experiments were carried out at Akure in
Furthermore, Obi and Ofonduro (1997) and Moyin-Jesu the rainforest zone of Nigeria in 2011 and were repeated in
(2007) also reported that problems associated with con- 2012 to validate the results. The soil of the experimental
tinuous use of chemical fertilizers included nutrient site is loamy sand, skeletal, kaolinitic, isohyperthermic
imbalance, increased soil acidity, degradation in soil Oxic paleustalf (Alfisol) Soil Survey Staff (1999). The
physical properties and loss of organic matter. Hence, the annual rainfall of the area is between 1000 and 2060 mm
tendency to supply all plant nutrients through chemical and the annual temperature is between 29–37 °C as pre-
fertilizer should be reconsidered in the future because of sented in Table 1.

123
Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult (2015) 4:291–298 293

Table 1 Monthly rainfail and temprature data for Akure in 2011 and 2012
Months Rainfall (mm) Temperature (0 °C) Modified temp. (0 °C) of the environment under
shade structure during the experiment (March–July)
2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012

January 1.90 – 33.70 36.30 – –

February 41.10 34.80 36.10 35.60 – –
March 127.10 40.00 35.00 37.10 22.10 22.60
April 230.00 81.80 29.10 32.20 23.10 23.40
May 222.30 156.60 30.30 29.30 22.80 22.60
June 162.00 195.80 32.20 31.20 22.50 22.30
July 169.00 423.00 29.10 29.20 22.30 22.00
August 169.00 682.90 31.40 30.10 22.90 22.70
September 378.00 240.90 30.70 32.30 – –
October 141.90 111.60 33.10 31.10 – –
November 51.30 93.20 33.60 35.30 – –
December – – 32.70 34.60 – –
Source: meteorological station Federal College of Agriculture, Akure

Pre-cropping soil sampling and analysis Table 2 Soil properties before planting
Soil properties Values
Thirty core samples were collected from 0 to 15 cm depth,
bulked together, air-dried, sieved with 2 mm and ready for Soil pH (H2O) 5.82
routine analysis. Soil pH (0.01 M CaCl2) 5.34
The soil pH (1:1 soil/water and 1:2 soil/0.01 M Cacl2) Organic matter (%) 0.60
was read on pH meter (Crockford and Nowel 1956), while Nitrogen (%) 0.08
organic matter was determined using wet oxidation method Available P (mg/kg) 5.20
through chromic acid digestion (Walkley and Black 1934). Exchangeable bases
Soil P was extracted by Bray P1 extractant, and the extract K? (mmol/kg) 0.11
was developed on Murphy blue colouration and determined Ca2? (mmol/kg) 0.13
2?
on a spectronic 20 (Murphy and Riley 1962). Mg (mmol/kg) 0.08
Soil K, Ca, Mg and Na were extracted with 1 M NH40AC Na2? (mmol/kg) 0.11
pH7, and their contents K, Ca and Na were read on the flame Exchangeable acidity
photometer (Jackson 1958), while Mg content was deter- H? (mmol/kg) 4.10
mined using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Al3? (mmol/kg) 1.30
The soil nitrogen was determined using the micro-Kjel- Micronutrients
dahl method (Jackson 1964), while the micronutrients (Fe, Fe (mg/kg) 8.30
Cu, Zn and Mn) were extracted with 0.1 M, HCl and read on Zn (mg/kg) 3.83
atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Particle size analysis Cu (mg/kg) 2.20
was carried out using hydrometer method (Bouycous 1951). Mn (mg/kg) 1.85
Table 2 shows the soil chemical composition before Particle size analysis
planting. The soil P 5.20 mg/kg is lower than 10 mg/kg P Sand (%) 79.30
recommended for crop production in south-west Nigeria Silt (%) 14.70
(Agboola and Corey 1973). The organic matter was also Clay (%) 6.00
below 3 % critical level for crop production (Agboola and
Corey 1973).
Soil N content was 0.08 % which is lower than 0.15 % Sources and processing of organic fertilizers used
N critical level for crops recommended by Sobulo and for the experiments
Osiname (1981). The exchangeable bases (K, Ca, Mg and
Na) were below 0.20 mmol/kg recommended by Folorunso Rice bran and wood ash were obtained from the large-scale
et al. (2000). The soil pH 5.82 showed that the soil is processing unit of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure,
slightly acidic. The soil textural class is loamy sand. which processed cassava tubers from 10,000 ha of cassava

123
294 Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult (2015) 4:291–298

farm and paddy rice from 5000 hectares of rice plantation, Field experiment
while the poultry manure was also obtained from the
10,000 poultry birds in the livestock unit of the same The experimental site was cleared, ploughed, harrowed and
institution. NPK 15-15-15 was purchased from Agricultural divided into different plots. Each plot size was 4 9 4 m
Development Programme, while the imported cabbage (16 m2). There were three organic fertilizers treatments,
seeds (Benelli cultivar) were purchased from a certified namely poultry manure, wood ash and rice bran, applied at
seed company Agro-Farm Enterprises, Akure. 6 t/ha with a reference treatment NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer
The organic materials were processed, wood ash applied at 300 kg/ha and a control treatment (no fertilizer).
was sieved with 2 mm sieve to remove pebbles, while The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete
rice bran was partially composted for four weeks to block design and replicated three times. The choice of 6 t/
reduce C/N ratio. Poultry manure was cured before ha for wood ash, rice bran and poultry manure in the
application. experiment was based on the works of Folorunso (1999)
and Moyin-Jesu (2008) which carried out extensive
Chemical analysis of the organic materials used research on determination of soil critical levels for N, P, K,
Ca and Mg using organic amendments such as rice bran,
Two grammes each of the processed forms of the organic cocoa husk, poultry manure, wood ash and pig manure for
materials was analysed. The N content was determined by vegetables. They reported that application of these organic
the Kjeldahl method (Jackson 1964), while the determi- fertilizer materials at 6 t/ha was the best critical level for
nation of other nutrients such as P, K, Ca, Mg was done optimum yield of crop in the study area.
using the wet digestion method based on 25-5-5 ml of The organic amendments were incorporated into the soil
HNO3-H2SO4-HClO4 acids (AOAC 1970). using hand trowel one week before transplanting the
Table 3 shows the chemical analysis of the organic seedlings. Twenty-day-old seedlings were transplanted to
fertilizer used for the experiment. Wood ash had the the experimental plots at a spacing of 50 9 50 cm. After
highest values of K, Ca and Mg followed by poultry transplanting, irrigation was done every mornings and
manure and rice bran, respectively. Rice bran had the least evenings until the rain was steady to allow full
values of N, P, K, Ca and Mg and highest value of C/N establishment.
ratio. Poultry manure also had the highest value of N, P and A low-cost shade made of erected bamboo poles and the
least C/N ratio compared to others. top covered with palm fronds was constructed over the
transplanted cabbage seedlings to reduce partially direct
Nursery establishment for cabbage seedlings impact of sun radiations and enhanced the prevailing
environment of the site to favour sustainable cabbage
Land clearing and packing of debris were carried out fol- production.
lowed by shade construction made of erected bamboo poles Weeding was done manually 10 days after transplanting
and top covered with moderate number of palm fronds. and continued at 2 weeks interval until harvesting. Cab-
Twelve nursery beds with a size of 1 9 2 m2 each were bage seedlings were sprayed with Avesthrin (Cypermethrin
prepared. The cabbage seeds were sown on March manu- 10 EC) at 10 ml/litre of water at 3 weeks interval until
ally into rows spaced at 30 cm apart, irrigated twice a day 10 weeks after harvesting (WAT) to control leaf defoliat-
(morning and evening) to ensure good germination and ing beetles and caterpillars. Growth parameters such as
establishment. Germination of the seeds occurred 8 days height, stem girth (cm), leaf area (cm2) and number of
after planting and seedlings were nursed for 2 weeks before leaves were measured starting from 15 days after trans-
transplanting. The nursery establishment is important planting (DAT) until 80 days after transplanting. The leaf
because directly sown seeds will not germinate; hence, the area was estimated using the non-destructive and accurate
erection of shade structure in the experiment was to control method of Jamal et al. (2009) based on determination of
the prevailing temperature of the environment for seeds individual leaf area using a predictive equation constructed
germination. from leaf length (L) and width (W) and their combination.

Table 3 Chemical analysis of

Treatments N (%) C (%) C/N P (mg/kg) °K (%) Ca (%) Mg (%)
the organic fertilizer used for
the experiment Poultry manure 4.32 30.00 6.93 385.00 9.70 3.30 4.10
Wood ash 1.53 18.00 11.76 86.00 23.02 9.40 8.52
Rice bran 0.60 14.00 23.33 56.00 7.93 0.12 1.80

123
Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult (2015) 4:291–298 295

Harvest of matured cabbage head started at 82 DAT and bran, respectively. The application of poultry manure
continued as they attain maturity in each experimental plot treatment increased cabbage plant height, stem girth, leaf
on treatment basis, and yield parameters such as cabbage number/plant and leaf area by 17, 19, 10 and 16 % com-
head weight, cabbage head length and cabbage head girth pared to NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer. The cabbage plant
were measured. In addition, it was observed that new height, stem girth, number of leaves/plant and leaf area
shoots began to grow at the base of the harvested stem. increased by 34, 26, 18 and 16 % with application of
poultry manure compared to rice bran. The least values of
Soil analysis after harvesting cabbage growth parameters in cabbage were also obtained under the
control treatment.
After harvesting, soil samples were taken from each plot
using soil auger, bagged, air-dried and sieved for routine Effect of organic fertilizers on the head yield
laboratory analysis. Soil pH, organic matter (O.M), N, P, parameters of cabbage plant
K, Ca and Mg were determined as described for the pre-
cropping soil analysis. There were significant increases (P \ 0.05) in the head
yield parameters (head weight t/ha, head girth and head
Statistical analysis length) of cabbage under different organic fertilizers
compared to the control treatment (Table 5).
The average data of 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons on The highest values of cabbage head yield parameters
cabbage height, stem girth, leaf area, number of leaves, were obtained with poultry manure followed by wood ash
head weight, head girth and head length were analysed and rice bran, respectively. When compared to NPK 15-15-
using ANOVA F test, and the treatment means were 15, application of poultry manure also increased cabbage
compared using Duncan multiple range test at 5 % level of head weight, head girth and head length by 17, 18 and 8 %,
significance (Gomez and Gomez (1984). respectively.
The application of poultry manure also increased cab-
bage head weight, head girth and head length by 23, 21 and
Results 13 % compared to the wood ash treatment, respectively.
The least values of cabbage yield parameters were obtained
Effect of organic fertilizers on the growth under the control treatment.
parameters of cabbage between 15 and 80 days
after transplanting (DAT) Soil chemical analysis after harvesting cabbage

There were significant increases (P \ 0.05) in the plant Significant increases (P \ 0.05) occurred in the soil N, P,
height, stem girth, number of leaves/plant and leaf area of K, Ca and Mg under different organic fertilizers compared
cabbage under different organic fertilizer treatments com- to the control treatment (Table 6).
pared to the control treatment (Table 4). The soils which received NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer had
The highest values of cabbage plant height, stem girth, the highest values of soil N, P, K, and the lowest contents
number of leaves and leaf area were obtained with poultry of O.M, Ca and Mg. The highest values of soil organic
manure followed by NPK 15-15-15, wood ash and rice matter (O.M) and moderate values of soil P, K, Ca and Mg

Table 4 Effect of different organic fertilizers on the growth parameters of cabbage plants
Treatments Plant height (cm) Stem girth (cm) Leaf number Leaf area (cm2)
2011 2012 Mean 2011 2012 Mean 2011 2012 Mean 2011 2012 Mean

Control 4.00e 4.00e 4.00e 2.94e 2.70a 2.82e 4.64e 4.70e 4.67e 25.73e 26.11e 25.92e
NPK 15-15-15 10.53b 10.75b 10.64b 5.66b 5.30b 5.48b 8.10b 8.16b 8.13b 74.90b 73.60b 74.75b
Rice bran 8.50d 8.30d 8.40d 4.90d 5.18c 5.04d 7.46d 7.48d 7.47d 37.36d 36.20d 36.73d
Wood ash 8.70c 8.90c 8.80c 5.04c 5.14d 5.09c 7.50c 7.56c 7.53c 49.42c 48.30c 48.86c
Poultry manure 12.88a 12.40a 12.69a 6.84a 6.70a 6.77a 8.96a 9.10a 9.03a 88.88a 87.90a 88.39a
Treatment means within each group followed by the same letters are not significantly different from each other using Duncan multiple range test
at 5 % level of significance

123
296 Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult (2015) 4:291–298

Table 5 Cabbage head yield

Treatments Head weight (t/ha) Head girth (cm) Head length (cm)
parameters under different
organic fertilizer treatments 2011 2012 Mean 2011 2012 Mean 2011 2012 Mean

Control 0.90e 0.94e 0.92e 12.36e 12.30e 12.33e 9.10e 8.90e 9.0e
NPK 15-15-15 29.30b 28.90b 29.02b 31.80b 32.20b 32.00b 19.20b 18.30b 19.0b
Rice bran 22.60d 22.20d 22.40d 24.87d 24.57d 24.67d 16.80d 17.20d 17.00d
Wood ash 27.20c 27.40c 27.30c 29.90c 30.76c 30.33c 18.40c 17.60c 18.00c
Poultry manure 35.30a 34.90a 35.10a 38.56a 38.10a 38.33a 20.30a 20.70a 20.50a
Treatment means within each group followed by the same letters are not significantly different from each
other using Duncan multiple range test at 5 % level of significance

Table 6 Effect of different organic fertilizers on the soil chemical composition after harvesting cabbage
Treatment Soil pH O.M (%) N (%) P (mg/kg)
2011 2012 Mean 2011 2012 Mean 2011 2012 Mean 2011 2012 Mean

Control 5.30d 5.10e 5.20de 0.19e 0.21e 0.20e 0.029e 0.031e 0.03e 3.30e 3.10e 3.20e
NPK 15-15-15 5.12e 5.14d 5.13e 0.27d 0.23d 0.25de 0.39a 0.35a 0.37a 28.40a 28.80a 28.60a
Rice bran 7.16a 7.12a 7.14a 1.20b 1.22b 1.21b 0.25c 0.27c 0.26c 15.90c 15.52c 15.71c
Wood ash 6.60c 6.60c 6.62c 1.15c 1.11c 1.13c 0.15d 0.19d 0.17de 13.71d 13.53d 13.65d
Poultry manure 6.92b 7.06b 6.99b 2.30a 2.40a 2.53a 0.36b 0.34b 0.35b 25.55b 25.47b 25.51b
Treatment Kmmol/kg Ca (mmol/kg) Mg (mmol/kg)
2011 2012 Mean 2011 2012 Mean 2011 2012 Mean

Control 0.03e 0.05e 0.04e 0.06d 0.04e 0.05d 0.032e 0.028e 0.03d
NPK 15-15-15 3.74b 6.68a 3.71a 0.03e 0.05d 0.04e 0.048d 0.052d 0.05e
Rice bran 3.90a 3.30b 3.10b 1.54a 1.52a 1.53c 1.28a 1.26a 1.27a
Wood ash 1.85d 1.53d 1.69d 0.93c 0.97c 0.95b 0.80c 0.86c 0.83c
Poultry manure 2.45c 2.65c 2.40c 1.24b 1.22b 1.23a 1.13b 1.11b 1.12b

Treatment means within each group followed by the same letters are not significantly different from each other using Duncan multiple range test
at 5 % level of significance

were obtained with the application of poultry manure. The Discussion

application of wood ash resulted in the highest values of
soil pH, Ca and Mg compared to other treatments, while The least values of soil, growth and head yield parameters
moderate values of soil pH, K, Ca and low % N were (number of leaf, leaf area, stem height, head length, head
obtained with rice bran. girth and head weight) obtained under the control treatment
The soil N, P and K increased by 54, 53 and 55 % with compared to other treatments could be as a result of initial
application of NPK 15-15-15 compared to rice bran treat- low soil nutrients status that often characterize continuous
ment. Also, it had higher K/Ca, K/Mg and P/Mg ratio of cultivation of land without fertilizer application. This
93:1, 74:1 and 572:1 P/Mg, respectively, compared to finding was supported by Mohammed and Solaiman (2012)
2:1 K/Ca, 2:1 K/Mg and 16:1 P/Mg in rice bran treatment. who worked on the efficacy of fertilizers on the growth and
The soil O.M, % N and P increased by 49, 26 and 39 %, yield of cabbage and reported that nutrients supply was an
respectively, with application of poultry manure compared important input for realizing higher cabbage yield. Hence,
to wood ash. However, soil pH, K, Ca and Mg were the application of fertilizers, especially organic fertilizers,
increased by 3, 30, 20 and 12 %, respectively, under wood enhanced both soil and crop productivity in the tropics.
ash treatment compared to poultry manure. The least val- The best cabbage head weight, head length, head girth,
ues of soil pH, N, P, K, Ca and Mg nutrients were obtained number of leaf, leaf area, stem girth and plant height
under control treatment. obtained from the application of poultry manure could be

123
Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult (2015) 4:291–298 297

attributed to its balanced nutrient contents. The least value organic manure which must be mineralized before being
of C/N ratio of poultry manure also encouraged faster utilized by crops. Moyin-Jesu (2013a) also reported that
decomposition and quick release of nutrients for crop nitrogen increased the vegetative and yield performance of
uptake and higher head yield parameters. This observation garden egg crop.
was supported by Ijoyah and Sophie (2009) who reported However, the high content of nitrogen in the NPK fer-
that the application of poultry manure increased cabbage tilizer and its continuous use might be responsible for
yield. However, the head yield of 35.10 t/ha of cabbage excessive vegetative growth of cabbage and subsequently
obtained in this experiment was higher than 25.76 t/ha delayed maturity. This could explain the lower values of
reported by Ijoyah and Sophie (2009). The prior processing cabbage head yield and growth parameters compared to the
and stacking of poultry manure enhanced quick decom- poultry manure treatment. Also, Tong et al. (1997) reported
position and reduction in C/N ratio. This could be higher rate of nitrate nitrogen leaching which polluted
responsible for quick nutrient release and uptake by cab- underground water particularly with the continuous use of
bage crop and hence higher cabbage head yield. chemical fertilizers compared to the organic fertilizers.
The increased soil pH obtained by the application of Furthermore, Moyin-Jesu (2012) reported that the high
wood ash was attributed to its high K, Ca and Mg contents K/Ca, K/Mg and P/Mg ratios would cause nutrient imbal-
which served as base saturation agents and consequently ance and made availability of nutrients such as K, Ca, and
increased soil buffering capacity (Moyin-Jesu and Ogo- Mg difficult for both immediate and subsequent cropping
chukwu 2014). The soil pH influenced nutrient availability of cabbage.
and uptake as reported by Obatolu (1995) that oil palm
bunch ash, wood ash and cocoa pod husk improved soil K,
Ca and Mg nutrients and corrected soil acidity in an Alfisol Conclusion
under cultivation of coffee and corn.
The lower values of cabbage growth and head yield This experiment showed that the use of the various organic
parameters under rice bran treatment compared to wood fertilizers (poultry manure, wood ash and rice bran) applied
ash and poultry manure could be adduced to the fact that at 6 t/ha increased the growth, head yield of cabbage and
higher C/N ratio (23:3:1) of rice bran compared to poultry soil N, P, K, Ca, Mg, pH and organic matter (O.M). It is
manure decelerated the residue decomposition rate and recommended that poultry manure be applied at 6 t/ha for
subsequently it had the least values of % N, P, K, Ca and increased nutrient availability, growth and head yield of
Mg. The observation was supported by Moyin-Jesu (2007) cabbage as well as enhancing sustainable cultivation of
who reported that the growth and yield performance of cabbage on commercial basis. The use of poultry manure
Okra were very low under the application of rice bran and would replace the application of large quantity of NPK
sawdust. However, the processing of the organic fertilizer 15-15-15 fertilizer.
(rice bran) by composting was still responsible for reduc- The recommendation is important because the inorganic
tion of C/N ratio and the results would have been extremely fertilizers are becoming very expensive to be purchased by
different, if the rice bran was not processed because of its small-scale and commercial farmers of cabbage. In addi-
high C/N ratio of 135:1. This was corroborated by Adebayo tion, these organic fertilizers appear to have beneficial
and Olayinka (1984) who used the unprocessed forms of oil secondary effects on soil properties and ensuring environ-
palm bunch ash, sawdust and rice bran to grow maize; mental sustainability.
hence, prior processing of the organic fertilizers before
application is important for good crop yield. Nevertheless, Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://crea
the inclusion of rice bran as source of fertilizer was tivecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use,
important because it has been reported by Moyin-Jesu and distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give
Ojeniyi (2006) that rice bran, wood ash and spent grain appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a
were good in the reduction of soil bulk density and link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were
made.
improved % porosity which are good soil fertility indica-
tors (i.e. soil physical properties).
The application of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer significantly References
increased the cabbage head yield and growth parameters
more than that of rice bran, and this could be traced to the Adebayo A, Olayinka A (1984) The effect of methods of application
supply of readily available nutrients from the NPK fertil- of sawdust on plant growth, nutrient uptake and soil chemical
izer to the plant. This observation agreed with that of properties. Ife J Agric 2(1):36–44
Afshar RK, Chaichi MR, Assareh MH, Hashemi M, Liaghat A (2014)
Makinde (2013) who reported that an increase in the Interactive effect of deficit irrigation and soil organic
readily available nitrate from the NPK fertilizer unlike the

123
298 Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult (2015) 4:291–298

amendments on seed yield and flavonolignan production of milk Moyin-Jesu EI (2012) Simple and blended organic fertilizers improve
thistle (Silybum marianum L, Gaertn). Ind Crop Prod soil fertility of degraded nursery soil for production of Kolanut
58:166–172 (Cola acuminate) seedlings in Nigeria. In: Tech Open Publish-
Agboola AA, Corey RB (1973) Soil testing N, P, K for maize in the ers. Chapter book 15. EdsJoann K. Whalen. ISBN: 978-953-307-
soils derived from metamorphic and igneous rocks of Western 945-5. p 209–306. http://www.intechweb.org
State of Nigeria. J West Afr Sci. Assoc 17:93–100 Moyin-Jesu EI (2013a) Evaluation of modified neem leaf and wood
AOAC (1970) Official method of analysis 12th eds. Association of ash extracts on the soil fertility improvement on growth and
official Analytical Chemists Arlington, VA yield of garden egg plant. (Solanium melongena L.) Colombia
Awodun MA (2007) Effect of sawdust ash on nutrient status, growth International Publishing. Am J Agric Sci Tech 1(3):77–76.
and yieldof Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). Asian J Agric doi:10.776/ajast.2013.1007
Res 1:92–96. doi:10.3923/ajar Moyin-Jesu EI, Odewande A (2013) Comparative evaluation of
Bouycous H (1951) Mechanical analysis of soil using hydrometer different tillage practices and method of planting on soil
method analytical chem. Acta 22:32–34 properties, growth and head yield of cabbage. Am J Res
Crockford L, Nowel P (1956) Laboratory manual of physical Commun 1:1–20
chemistry. Exp 31 and 32. John Wiley and Sons, New York Moyin-Jesu EI, Ogochukwu AI (2014) Comparative evaluation of
Folorunso OO (1999) Use of plant residues for improving soil fertility different organic fertilizer effects on soil fertility, leaf chemical
and yield of Okra (Abelmuschus esculentum L Moench) and composition and growth performance of coconut (Cocos
Amaranthus (Amaranthus viridis L). PhD thesis, School of nucifera) seedlings. Int J Plant Soil Sci 3(6):737–750. doi:10.
Agriculture and Agriculture Technology, Federal University of 9734/IJPSS/2014/4338
Technology, Akure, Nigeria: 45–50 Moyin-Jesu EI, Ojeniyi SO (2006) Effects of sole and amended plant
Folorunso OO, Agboola AA, Adeoye GO (2000) Evaluation of three residues on soil nutrient contents and yield of Okra (Abe-
fertilizer models for P and K recommendation in maize (Zea limoschus esculentum L). Discov Innov J 18(4):318–326
Mays L). J Tech Educ 2:237–253 Murphy J, Riley JP (1962) A modified single solution method for
Gomez KA, Gomez AA (1984) Statistical procedures for agricultural determination of phosphate in natural waters. Anal Chem Acta
research, 2nd edn. John Wiley and Sons, New York 27:31–36
Hague KMF (2006) Yield and nutritional quality of cabbage as Obatolu CR (1995) Nutrient balance sheet of Alfisol grown to coffee
affected by nitrogen and phosphorous fertilization. Bangladeshi J and maize using organic fertilizers. In: Agboola AA (eds)
Sci Med Res 41:41–46 Proceedings 3rd Annual Conference of All African Soil Sci
Ijoyah MO, Sophie VL (2009) Effect of different levels of decom- Society, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, August 20–23,1995:
posed poultry manure on the yield of cabbage (Brassica 250–256
Oleraceae L). Agro Sci J Trop Agric Food Environ Ext Obi ME, Ofonduro CO (1997) The effects of soil amendments on soil
8(1):20–23 physical properties of a severely degraded sandy loam soil in
Jackson ML (1958) Soil chemical analysis. N.J Prentice Hall, south Eastern Nigeria. Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto,
Englewood Cliffs, pp 57–69 pp 30–35 (March 2–7)
Jackson ML (1964) Soil chemical analysis. N.J Prentice Hall, Ojeniyi SO, Oso OP, Arotolu AA (2001) Response of vegetables to
Englewood Cliffs, pp 86–92 wood ash fertilizer. In: Obigbesan OO (ed) Proceedings 30th
Jamal Ali Olfati, Peyvast G, Samavi M, Salehi M, Mahdipour M, annual conference of agric society of nigeria. University of
Nosratie-Rad Z (2009) Comparison of leaf area estimation from Agriculture, Abeokuta, pp 147–150
linear measurement of Red cabbage. Int J Veg Sci 15:185–192. Sobulo RA, Osiname OA (1981) Soils and fertilizer use in Western
doi:10.1080/19315260802770 Nigeria. Tech Bull no. 11. Institute of Agricultural Research and
John J (1997) Drug and food interaction. J Nutr Fla 9(2):7–9 Training, University of Ife, Nigeria
Kwari JD, Bababe B, Shehu HE (1991) Effect of cow dung on CEC Soil Survey Staff (1999) Soil taxonomy. A basic system for soil
and accumulation of mineral nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur in classification for making and interpreting soil surveys agric
soils of Borno state. In: Ojeniyi S.O (eds). Proceedings 19th handbook no. 436. USDA, Washington DC
Annual conference of Soil Sci Soc, Nigeria, Nov 17–21, 1991. Solomon MG, Ogeh JS (1995) Use of leguminous plants and rice husk
University of Maiduguri: 154–158 as fertilizer materials. In: Agboola AA (eds). Proceedings 3rd All
Makinde A (2013) Effect of inorganic fertilizer on the growth and African Soil Science Conference August 20–23, 1995, Univer-
nutrient composition of moringa. J Emerg Trends Eng Appl Sci sity of Ibadan. 327–333
(JETEAS) 4(2):34–343 Tindall M (2000) Mineral and organic fertilizing in cabbage and their
Moamogwe M (1995) Adaptation trial of introduced cabbage residual effect for commercial cultivation on yield and quality
cultivars ARP training reports between 1993–1995. AVRDC performance of cabbage. Hort Brass 6:15–20
Afr Reg Program Arusha Tanzan 4(1):27–29 Tong Y, Ove E, Dianquing L, Harald G (1997) Effect of organic
Mohammed RH, Solaiman AHM (2012) Efficacy of organic and manure and chemical fertilizers on nitrogen uptake and nitrate
inorganic fertilizers on the growth of cabbage (Brassica leaching in a Eum orthic anthrosols profile. Nutr Cycl Agroe-
Oleraceae L). Int J Agric Crop Sci 4(3):128–138. ISBN cosyst 48(3):225–229
2227–670X Walkley A, Black IA (1934) An examination of degtajroff method for
Moyin-Jesu EI (2007) Use of plant residues for improving soil determining soil organic acid filtration method. Soil Sci
fertility, pod nutrients, root growth and pod weight of Okra 37:29–38
(Abelmuschus esculentum L). Bioresour Technol
98(2007):2057–2064
Moyin-Jesu EI (2008) Determination of soil nutrient levels for
maximum yield of Okra using sole and amended plant residues.
J Trop Agric Sci 31(2):233–245 (Malaysia)

123

View publication stats