EFFECT OF FERTILIZERS ON YIELD AND PROFITABILITY OF HIBISCUS CANNABINUS L. IN RAIN FOREST-SAVANNA TRANSITION AGRO ECOLOGY OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Appropriate use of fertilizer is crucial to crop productivity and soil management. This study was carried out to determine the most appropriate and profitable rate of nitrogen fertilizers for optimal growth and yield of kenaf. Organic fertiliser (OF) was applied at the rates of 0, 6.36, 9.09, 11.82 and 14.55 kg per plot and thoroughly mixed with the soil two weeks before sowing. At two weeks after sowing, NPK 20-10-10 fertilizer was applied at rates 0, 0.42, 0.60, 0.78 and 0.96 kg per plot to the plots designated for inorganic fertiliser (IF). Both organic and inorganic fertilizers applied were expected to release 0, 70, 100, 130 and 160 kg N/ha. The field trial was arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. Data on growth performance and yield obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), Duncan multiple range test 0.05 level of probability and gross margin analysis. Results showed that treatments OF× 130 kg and IF× 130 kg N/ha had significantly highest values for bast fiber (1.37 t/ha) and seed yield (1.55 t/ha), respectively. The net benefit N2,974,100 and N3,041,600 derived from core and bast fibers were obtained in plot with 130 kg N/ha organic and inorganic, respectively.

Nitrogen fertilizer use at the rate of 130 kg ha^-1 was thereby recommended for use due to its high potential growth with increased yield and economic value of high marginal benefit.