EFFECT OF CATTLE AND RABBIT DUNGS ON KENAF (HIBISCUS CANNABINUS L) IN BAUCHI, NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH

Abstract

The research work was designed to determine the growth and yield of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L) in response to organic manure (cattle and rabbit manure) in Bauchi, Northern guinea savanna. The research was carried out at the instance un-availability and toxicity of chemical fertilizers, which have left farmers helpless. Organic manures have been proved to produce more healthy crops than chemical fertilizers. It has the required nutrients needed by plants in a fairly balanced proportion which can supply and sustain crops and have long residual effects, hence, maximum net returns. The materials were kenaf seeds, organic manure (cattle and rabbit manures) and polythene bags etc. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) where treatments (T₁, T₂ and T₃) represent cattle and rabbit manures each at (7.5 t/ha) and control (0 t/ha) respectively. Five plant stands per plot were randomly selected and marked for data collection. This gives a total of 15 stands per treatment and 45 stands for three replicates. Data were collected on plant heights, stem diameters, number of leaves at 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 weeks after planting (WAP) at two weeks interval while fibre length, width of fibre, dry weight of fibre, number of calyx per plot and weight of dry calyx were obtained after week 11. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. (ANOVA) and significant means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range and least significant difference (LSD) at P< 0.05. The analyzed result showed that plant heights of(33.03cm, 51.00cm and101.17cm) and (28.75cm, 48.33cm and100.23cm)obtained from cattle and rabbit manures were higher than (19.83cm, 39.53cm and 84.60cm) obtained from control plots. Again, fibre length (98.33cm and 95.47cm) obtained from organic manures were longer than 74.17cm from control. This indicated that both the cattle and rabbit manures have significant effects on the growth and yield of kenaf in the study area. The study recommended that the Nigeria Fibre Company (NIFICO) AND Nigeria Fibre Product Limited (NFPL) be revived to boost Kenaf and other allied crops production among farmers.