Response of Farmyard Manure and Inorganic Fertilizers for Sustainable Growth of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The carrot (Daucus carota L.) crop is distributed worldwide; and used as fresh vegetables, desserts, snacks or canned, frozen and dehydrated in developed countries. Carrot requires and responds favorably to both organic and inorganic fertilizer. In view of the general low level of soil fertility of the Nigerian Savannah soils and low average crop growths associated with the problem, it is more than likely that a sound fertilizer programme may be needed to increase its growth. In this regard, field experiments were conducted at two locations (Samaru and Kadawa) during the 1991/92 dry seasons to determine the effect of nitrogen, phosphorous and farm yard manure (FYM) on the growth of carrot. The treatments were laid out in factorial combinations and in a randomized complete block design, replicated three times. Slightly sunken beds of 1.5 x 2.0m constituted the plots. Results indicated that, nitrogen application significantly increased the growth of carrot at Kadawa; while at Samaru the number of leaves per plant was increased in response to nitrogen (N) fertilization. The application of phosphorous significantly increased number of leaves per plant, total fresh and dry weights at both locations. Farmyard manure (FYM) application significantly increased the growth characters of carrot at both locations. It is concluded that, nitrogen and phosphorous application significantly increased the growth of carrot, especially at the later stages; while organic farmyard manure (FYM) applied at 20t ha -1 significantly increased the growth of (Daucus Carota L.). The negative effects of fertilizers are drastically reduced through sustainable production practices which provide the soil with organic matter in form of farmyard manure -FYM. Indeed, the positive advantages of organic production systems, which use organic sources of fertilization, cannot be over emphasized.