Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Delta State, Nigeria
Okunomo, K., Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Delta State, Nigeria; Ureigho, U.N., Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Delta State, Nigeria; Opute, H.O., Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Delta State, Nigeria
A study on the effect of soil amendments on the performance of G. albida was conducted at the teaching and research farm of Delta State University, Asaba Campus. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates was employed to assess the effect of these soil amendment options namely cowdung, poultry droppings, Ash and topsoil on growth performance in seedlings of Gambaya albida (Linn). Results showed that there was significant difference between the treatments (P<0.05) from 2-12 weeks after transplanting (WAT). As regards the plant height and collar difference between the treatments from the 2-12WAT. The result indicated that the soil amendment materials had significant effect on leaf number and leaf area of the species (P<0.05) throughout the duration of the study except at 4WAT. The highest mean height values of 17.17cm was recorded under poultry dropping treatment at 12WAT, while mean leaf number and leaf area values were 8.7 and 55.22cm2 respectively. The highest leaf dry weight of 1.7gwasobtainedundercowdung treatment while poultry dropping sand ash had the highest stem and root dry weights of 1.9and 1.6g respectively. It is recommended that poultry droppings should be adopted by our local farmers for the establishment of Gambaya albida seedling. © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2006.