Effect of plant and animal based compost on the growth and yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in a Nigeria-derived Savanna

Purpose: The limitation of the use of some agricultural wastes is their C/N ratio. This study was aimed at integrating cocoa pod husk, moringa leaves, and poultry droppings in composted form for enriched soil amendments for vegetable production. Method: Three compost types: cocoa pod husk, moringa leaf, and poultry droppings were composted for 60 days in a ratio of 3:1:1, 3:1, and 3:1, respectively. Each compost type was applied at the rate of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 t ha-1 with a zero control and an optimal control of NPK 20.10.10 at 200kgha-1. The treatments were 14 which were laid out in RCBD and replicated thrice. The effect of the compost manures was assessed on the growth, yield, and yield components of Okra in two seasons. Results: The results indicated that Compost1, Compost 2, and Compost 3 at a rate of 10 t ha-1 produced significantly (P<0.05) the tallest plants with the least height in the zero control. The leaf area result indicated that Compost1, Compost 2, and Compost 3 at 10 t ha-1 and NPK 20.10.10 produced the largest leaves and highest number of fruits per plant. Fruit yield was highest (P<0.05) in Compost1 at 10 t ha-1 in 2020 and 2021 (8.6t ha-1 and 8.8t ha-1), respectively and the least in the zero control. Conclusion: The result from this study showed that the integration of cocoa pod husk, Moringa leaf, and poultry droppings in composted form is a suitable organic amendment for optimal production of okra in Nigeria-derived savanna. Highlights ·       The study was to evaluate cocoa pod husk-based compost with moringa leaves and poultry droppings on the growth and yield of okra ·       Three composts: cocoa pod husk + moringa leaves + poultry droppings, cocoa pod husk + moringa leaves, and cocoa pod husk + poultry droppings composted at the ratios of 3:1:1, 3:1,and  3:1, respectively at the rates of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10 t/ha and NPK 20:10:10 at 200 kg/ha with a zero control were laid out in the field under randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications. ·       Data collected were plant height, leaf area, number of fruits per plant, and fruit yield per unit area. ·       Results obtained indicated that the three composts at the rate of 10 t/ha produced the tallest plants over the control. The leaf area was the largest in the three composts at the rate of 10 t/ha and the inorganic N: P: K at 200 kg/ha. Compost 1(cocoa pod husk + moringa leaves + poultry droppings) at the rate of 10 t/ha produced the highest fruit yield (8.6 and 8.8 t/ha), respectively, for the 2020 and 2021 cropped years over the inorganic NPK 20:10:10. ·        The combination of cocoa pod husk, moringa leaf, and poultry droppings in compost at the rate of 10 t/ha is a suitable organic amendment and a substitute for the inorganic NPK fertilizer for the optimum yield of okra in Nigeria-derived savanna.