Performance of Mungbeans (Vigna radiata (L) Willczek) in Soil Amended with Oil Palm Bunch Ash and Poultry Manure in Humid Tropical Environment of South Eastern Nigeria

Aim: A study was conducted to evaluate supplementary effects of oil palm bunch ash (OPBA) and poultry manure (PM) on the growth and yield performance of mungbeans.

Study Design: The study used a 3 x 3 factorial experiment laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out at the University of Calabar Teaching and Research farm, Calabar, Nigeria during the 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons respectively

Methodology: Mung bean variety NM 92 was planted in a well prepared field to evaluate its response to PM and OPBA applications. The treatments included three levels of OPBA (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1) and three levels of PM (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1. PM was cured and applied two weeks before planting while the OPBA was applied at planting. Plant growth data including plant height, number of leaves, number of branches and leaf area were measured at 2,4, 6 weeks after planting whereas the yield data including days to fifty percent flowering, number of pods, pod length , pod and seed yield were recorded

Results: The highest agronomic parameters as well as yield attributing characters and yield were obtained when 10 t ha-1 OPBA or 10 t ha-1 of PM were applied. Each of the levels of applications significantly decreased the number of days to 50% flowering. The highest seed yields of 0.77 t ha-1 in 2014 and 0.82 t ha-1 in 2015 were obtained with the applications of 5 t ha-1 OPBA + 10 t ha-1 PM and 10 t ha-1 OPBA + 10 t ha-1 PM, respectively.

Conclusion: The best agronomic, yield attributing characters and yield of mungbeans were obtained when 10 t ha-1 OPBA or 10 t ha-1 of PM were applied. Also the combined application of 5 t ha-1 OPBA + 10 t ha-1 PM or 10 t ha-1 OPBA + 10 t ha-1 PM gave significantly higher increment in yield. Hence, from our study, it was found that both organic matter sources may be used to obtain higher yields in mungbeans.