Comparative Effects of Different Levels of Kolgrace Organic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield Attributes of Greengram (Vigna radiata (L) Wilczek) in the Screenhouse

Aim: To investigate growth and yield response of greengram to different levels of Kolgrace organic fertilizer with a view to determining the most favorable application rate for greengram production.

Study Design: Completely randomized design (CRD) with treatments replicated five (5) times.

Place and Duration of Study: Screenhouse of the Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, between July to November 2016.

Methodology: Six levels of kolgrace organic fertilizer were used (0.00, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, 4.00 and 8.00 t ha-1). Top soil (0 -15 cm) was collected from the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agronomy, and leached of nutrients by soaking and washing in water for 24 hours. 2 kg of air-dry soil was mixed with the appropriate fertilizer rate and filled in each pot. 3 seeds were sown per pot and thinned to 1 seed at 2 weeks after sowing (WAS). Chemical analysis of air-dry soil sample and Kolgrace fertilizer were done at the soil chemistry laboratory of the Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, to ascertain their elemental composition. Soil particle size distribution [1], Soil pH [2], exchangeable K and Na [3], exchangeable Mg and Ca [4], exchangeable acidity [5], organic matter and organic carbon [6], available P [7], Nitrogen [8] and micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn) [4] were determined.

Results: Application rates were significant (p<0.05) for all the traits measured. 0.5 t ha-1 was significantly higher in plant height (39.5), number of pods (7.0) and dry pod weight (4.98). Application rate of 1 t ha-1 was higher in number of leaves (18.0) although was comparable to application rate of 0.5 t ha-1.

Conclusion: Application rate of 0.5 t ha-1 was best for three of the five traits measured and is hereby recommended.