Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 8(1): 272 - 279. Published August 2008.
Effects of cultural practices on mineral compositions of cassava peel compost and its effects on the performance of cabbage (Brassica Oleracea L.)
Olaniyi J.O. and Akanbi W.B.
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Corresponding author email: olaniyikunle2005@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the mineral compositions of cassava peel compost, and to determine its effects on the head yield of Brassica oleracea.
Methodology and Results: Cassava peel compost was prepared and subjected to three turning rates, i.e. at 7, 14 and 21 days intervals and three watering regimes of 7, 14 and 21 days intervals. On the field, cabbage was subjected to nine compost treatment combinations laid out in a factorial experiment and fitted into a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Temperature during composting, and the growth and yield attributes of cabbage were assessed. The temperature in the compost increased as the composting days increased up to 40 days, then declined thereafter. The temperatures during composting were significantly affected by turning and watering regimes, with the highest recorded from 14 days turning and watering regimes. The mineral elements available in the cassava peel compost were significantly influenced by turning and watering regimes with the highest values obtained from compost under 14 days turning and 21 days watering rates. Compost with 7 days turning by 7 days watering regimes had the least values. Plant height, number of leaves, and shoot and head yields varied significantly with treatments, with the highest values being for plants treated with compost from 14 days turning by 21 days watering regimes. Conclusion and application of findings: The results show that 14 days turning by 21 days watering regimes would be the best management practice for compost preparation. These cultural practices improved the mineral composition of compost as well as the head yield of cabbage.
Key words: Cassava peel, compost, turning rate, watering rate, cabbage, head yield.
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