Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Growth Performance of Solanum nigrum L.

Pot experiments were conducted to assess the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth of Solanum nigrum L. The experiment was carried out at the experimental site of the Department of Plant Science, Ekiti State University Ado- Ekiti Nigeria (7°40’N and 5°15'E). Ado- Ekiti is in the rainforest zone of south- western Nigeria. The treatments included two organic fertilizers (cow dung and poultry manure) and Inorganic fertilizers (NPK and Urea). NPK and Urea (200 kgha-1) and 6t ha-1 of cow dung and poultry manure were used. The experimental design was a complete randomized design replicated six times. Results obtained showed that poultry manure produced the tallest plants (29.37 cm) at 6 weeks after transplanting and highest number of green leaves (76.25) at harvest (6 weeks after transplanting). These values were not significantly different from those of NPK fertilizer. Also, the leaf area at harvest, number of green leaves at harvest, fresh shoot biomass and relative growth rate were highest in poultry manure but similar to those of NPK applied pots. The results obtained were directly proportional to the stem girth as poultry manure recorded the highest values for stem girth. All the growth parameters observed showed that the control experiments gave the least performance. The results further revealed that poultry manure, NPK and cow dung gave comparable growth factors. It is suggested that poultry manure and cow dung (organic fertilizers) might be a good option in the cultivation of Solanum nigrum L. by resource poor farmers, who might not be able to afford the cost of inorganic fertilizers in cultivation of the vegetable. This research advocates for the use of naturally produced fertilizers as products from such is safe for human consumption. This can also reduce the harmful effect of inorganically produced crop on mankind.