EFFECTS OF SOLE AND COMBINED APPLICATIONS OF RABBIT DROPPINGS AND NPK FERTILIZER ON PERFORMANCE OF MILLET (Pennisetum thyphoides) VARIETIES IN OGBOMOSO, OYO STATE

Abstract

Millet (Pennisetum thyphoides L.) is a versatile arable crop known for its high nutritional and economic values in relation to crop/animal husbandry and human welfare, however, its production is majorly limited by soil fertility. Tropical farmers’ efforts to reverse such undesirably conditions are majorly focused on incessant application of quick-action inorganic fertilizers like NPK, which had been shown to induce adverse effects on soils, crops, man and the environment. Hence, there is a necessity to direct research attention towards achieving a reduced chemical load on tropical soils, via complementary application of organic materials with chemical fertilizer. The study evaluated the performance of two indigenous millet varieties, under different inclusion levels of rabbit droppings and NPK fertilizer, at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. It was a factorial experiment with six (6) levels of fertilizer treatment combinations: T0 (the control, which received no fertilizer application), T1 (100% NPK recommended rate at 300kg/ha + 0% Rabbit droppings), T2 (0% NPK+ 100% Rabbit droppings at 4tons/ha), T3 (75% NPK + 25% Rabbit droppings), T4 (50% NPK + 50% Rabbit droppings) and T5 (25% NPK+ 75% Rabbit droppings) and two (2) levels of Crop variety (V1 = Ogbomoso local and V2 = Baccita local). Crop variety served as the main plots, while different fertilizer treatment combinations served as the sub-plots. Each plot size was = 4m2, at a spacing = 50cm × 50cm. the trial was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated three (3) times. Data collection commenced at four weeks after sowing (4WAS). Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, number of tillers, shoot fresh and dry weights, fresh and dry root weights and total seed yield. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test, at 5% level of probability. The results of the pre-cropping chemical and physical analyses of the soil sample revealed that the soil was slightly acidic (with pH value of 6.00) and texturally sandy loam.Also, the major soil nutrient concentrations were very low: N (0.08g/kg), P
(3.86g/kg), and K (0.20cmol/kg). All the sole and combined proportions of NPK and Rabbit droppings significantly improved the growth and yield parameters of the two millet varieties tested. Also, rabbit droppings competed significantly (p=0.05) with NPK fertilizer irrespective of the variety concerned, compared to the control. V1 that received 25% NPK + 75% Rabbit droppings has significantly higher yield value of 8.0 tons/ha, compared with V2 that received 25% NPK + 75% Rabbit droppings with the value of 6.0 tons/ha In conclusion, rabbit droppings could be regarded as a useful organic fertilizer material, for improving millet production under tropical soil conditions. The combined application of 25% NPK + 75% Rabbit droppings significantly improved the performance of the two millet varieties, and it is therefore recommended for optimum performance of the two millet varieties in the study area. In addition, sole application of Rabbit droppings at 100% recommendation level (4 tons/ha) is also recommended for pure organic millet production in the study area.