Comparative Assessment of the Impact of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers Application on the Growth and Development of Solanum nigrum L. (Angiosperm; Solanaceae)

Aims: The application of organic and inorganic fertilizers to the soil is considered a good agricultural practice as it helps to improve the fertility of the soil and the quality of plant products. However, the effect of some fertilizers on crop yield is not always positive when compared with others. This study assessed, comparatively, the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and development of Solanum nigrum L. (Angiosperm; Solanaceae).

Study Design: This was an observational field study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Applied Biology experimental plot, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki from July, 2015 to September, 2015.

Materials and Methods: The field study was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a 3.5 m x 2.5 plot, selected, cleared with ridges made for each treatment and control groups. The blocks were treated with 10 g/m2 each of N.P.K. 15:15:15, cow dung and fowl excreta after which Solanum nigrum L. seedlings were transplanted from the nursery at 20 plants per ridge and spacing of 0.2 m between plants. Growth parameters such as stem diameter, plant height and girth were monitored and readings taken for a period of 8 weeks starting from the 30th day after planting. Data collected were tested statistically (ANOVA) using SPSS version 20.0 at p<0.05.

Results: The results revealed that there was a significant difference in the growth of Solanum nigrum L. in plants height (F-ratio = 4.735; p = 0.00855), stem diameter (F-ratio = 23.46; p = < 0.00001) and plant girth (F-ratio = 5.675; p = 0.003627) with respect to the different fertilizers applied. N.P.K. 15: 15: 15 treated group showed a greater increase in the growth parameters. However, the control group performed better than the groups treated with cow dung and fowl excreta.

Conclusion: There was a significant difference in the overall effects of the different fertilizers applied on the growth and development of Solanum nigrum L. (F-ratio = 18.30836; p = 0.000673) and application of N.P.K. 15:15:15 in the cultivation of Solanum nigrum L. improved the growth of the plant better than cow dung and fowl excreta. However, further studies are hereby recommended to determine the soil profile analysis of the study plot as well as the physico-chemical analysis of the organic fertilizers used with respect to plant yield under erosion-controlled planting condition.