Abstract
Corchorus olitorius (L.) is an important leafy vegetable known for its rich source of several nutrients and dietary fibre in Africa, Asia and some parts of America. One major limitation of cultivating Corchorus olitorius in the tropics is inadequate soil fertility. Fertilizer application is an integral part of the vegetable cultivation due to low soil productivity. The study therefore aims at evaluating the effects of organic, inorganic and organo-mineral fertilizer at different concertation on the growth, yield and nutrient composition of Corchorus olitorious. The experimental setup followed a complete randomized block design with three replicates. Treatments include control, 1,000 kgha-1 sole poultry manure (PM), 2,000 kgha-1 sole PM, 200 kgha-1 sole NPK, 400 kgha-1 sole NPK, 600 kgha-1 sole NPK, 1,000 kgha-1 PM+200 kgha-1 NPK, 1,000 kgha-1 PM+400 kgha-1 NPK, 1,000 kgha-1 PM+600 kgha-1 NPK, 2,000 kgha-1 PM+200 kg/ha NPK, 2,000 kgha-1 PM+400 kgha-1 NPK and 2,000 kgha-1 PM+600 kgha-1 NPK fertilizer combinations. The growth, yield and nutrient composition of C. olitorious plants were significantly enhanced in all fertilizer treated plots in comparison to the control. Significantly (p<0.05) higher growth parameters, yield and nutrient composition were recorded in the plots treated with combined application of both fertilizers at 2,000 kgha-1 PM+400 kgha-1 NPK and 2,000 kgha-1 PM+600 kgha-1 NPK when compared to other application combinations. This study affirms that the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer as a soil amendment could enhance growth, yield, and nutrient composition of C. olitorious in comparison with sole application of either fertilizers.