Organic Fertilizer and Mulch Effects on the Physical Properties of an Alfisol and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Yield
2022
Akinwumi, G. S. | Aliku, O. | Oshunsanya, S. O. | Aiyelari, E. A.
Concerns about soil physical health deterioration have led to a paradigm shift from conventional farming systems to organic farming systems. However, the adoption of organic fertilizers is slow in many sub-Saharan African countries, where shifting cultivation is still prevalent. Hence, a two-year split-plot field experiment was conducted to assess the potentials of organic fertilizer (OF) applied at 0 (OF₀), 10 (OF₁₀), 15 (OF₁₅), 20 (OF₂₀) and 25 (OF₂₅) t ha⁻¹; and Chromolaena odorata mulch (M) applied at 0 (M₀), 15 (M₁₅) and 30 (M₃₀) t ha⁻¹; in improving the physical properties of an alfisol and ginger (Zingiber officinale) yield. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Both organic amendments (organic fertilizer and mulch) reduced soil bulk density (ρb) and air pores, while markedly increasing soil total porosity (PT), moisture content and water-filled pores in both years of the study. Though both organic amendments significantly increased plant height of ginger, Chromolaena odorata mulch proved superior to organic fertilizer with a consistent substantial increase in the number of leaves and yield of ginger. Our results showed that applying 20 t ha⁻¹ organic fertilizer or 15 t ha⁻¹ mulch could be sufficient for improving the physical properties and productivity of an alfisol cultivated for ginger production.
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