Production and evaluation of compost tea for cultivation of Amaranthus hybridus

Abstract

The application of organic fertilizer to the soil is considered as good agricultural practice because it improves the fertility of the soil and plant quality. The aim of the study was to produce compost tea using poultry droppings, cow dungs and water leaf (Talinum triangulare) in a ratio 5:5:1 and evaluate its effects on soil properties, growth and yield of Amaranthus hybridus. The study was carried out in Jalingo, Taraba State, North-Eastern Nigeria in July, 2019. The experimental variables include control (no treatment), 1 kg of compost per 10 L of water compost tea, 1 kg of compost per 20 L of water compost tea, 1 kg of compost per 30 L of water compost tea, 500 kg ha^-1solid compost and 500kg ha^-1 NPK fertilizer. The treatment combinations were done in a randomized complete block design, replicated four times, giving a total of twenty four plots. Each plot was 2.0 m × 2.0 m with 0.5 m alley between the plots and replicates.  Soil properties were determined at harvest while growth and yield parameters of Amaranthus hybridus were determined at maturity. The results showed that compost tea, solid compost and NPK compound fertilizer application increased soil porosity, water holding capacity, soil pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and total exchangeable bases and decreased soil bulk density and particle density to favorable levels. Compost tea, solid compost and NPK compound fertilizer also increased plant height, stem girth, number of leaves per plant, leave area, leave area index, root yield, stem yield and leaves yield. The result showed that 1 kg of compost per 10 L of water compost tea produced tallest plants (118.18 cm) with largest stem girth (2.586 cm), highest number of leaves per plant (42.44), largest leave area (98.66 cm²), highest leave area index (4.606), highest fresh root yield (5.25 tons ha^-1), highest fresh stem yield (30.12 tons ha^-1) and highest leaves yield (18.22 tons ha^-1). Compost tea elicited higher growth and yield characteristics of Amaranthus hybridus plants than solid compost, NPK compound fertilizer and control (no fertilizer) in decreasing order in the variety of amaranth used. The result suggests that the 1 kg of compost per 10 L of water compost tea application rate be utilized, as a more appropriate and profitable soil fertility enhancement method in order to achieve better performance of Amaranthus hybridus plants. This implies that compost tea extracts from poultry droppings, cow dungs and water leaf (Talinum triangulare) can be used in a sustainable agriculture to increase yield and quality of Amaranthus hybridus