Analysis of different rates of N.P.K. (15:15:15) fertilizer on yield of eggplant (Solanum melongena) in Cross River University of Technology Teaching and Research Farm, Obubra Campus, Cross River State, Nigeria

Idio, A. D. and Adinya, I. B.

Net Journal of Agricultural Science
Published: October 11 2017
Volume 5, Issue 4
Pages 121-125

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of different rates of N.P.K. (15:15:15) fertilizer on yield of eggplant in Cross River State University of Technology Teaching and Research Farm, Obubra Campus for two cropping seasons that is 2016 and 2017. Four levels of N.P.K. (15:15:15) fertilizer applications were studied. The experiment comprises of four treatments via, control, N.P.K. at 109, 129 and 149 kg/ha. Experiments were laid in randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments were soiled–applied and the parameter assessed was fruits (yield) at 10 weeks after transplanting (WAT) and 13 (WAT). The result shows that N.P.K. (15:15:15) fertilizer applied had significant effect on eggplant fruit yield at 10 WAT and 13 WAT. The result also shows that 129 kg/ha of N.P.K. (15:15:15) fertilizer applied gave fruit yield of 130.25 kg of eggplant fruit at 10WAT in 2014 cropping season while 100.25 kg of eggplant fruit at 10 WAT in 2015 season (Comparatively treatment T3 (N.P.K. at 129 kg/ha at 10WAT in 2014 season compared to treatment T3 (N.P.K. at 129 kg/ha at 10 WAT in 2015 season showed that eggplant fruit yield decreased from 130.25 to 100.25 kg, the yield has decline by 30 kg). When 149 kg/ha of N.P.K. (15:15:15) fertilizer was applied gave the highest fruit yield of 140.25 kg in Table 3 while in Table 4 was 114 kg, the yield has decreased by 26.25 kg. The result of this findings showed that eggplant requires N.P.K. (15:15:15) fertilizer at the rate of 148 kg/ha for maximum yield. This implies that fertilizer quantities can be varied to obtain optimal output. The result showed that yield of eggplant performance was better in plots that were applied fertilizer than in control plot. Based on the result of research findings, fertilizer application is economical in the production of eggplant fruit when the plant have produced enough roots. Younger eggplant should be treated with lower dosage of N.P.K. (15:15:15) fertilizer application and this could be increased as the plant get matured. The study also recommended that farmers who intend to produce eggplant at optimum level should applied N.P.K. (15:15:15) fertilizer about 10cm away from the base of each plant at the rate of 148 to 149 kg/ha at 13 weeks after transplanting. Extension agents should train eggplant farmers to adopt application of 129 kg/ha of N.P.K. (15:15:15) fertilizer applied gave fruit optimum yield of 130.25 kg of eggplant fruit at 10 WAT.

Keywords: Eggplant, bio-technology, fertilizer application, optimum yield, adoption.

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