Effects of Chicken Manure on Growth, Yield and Quality of ...

1 American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 12 (3): 399-406, 2012 ISSN 1818-6769 IDOSI Publications, 2012 Corresponding Author:Michael T. Masarirambi, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture,University of Swaziland, PO Luyengo M205, Swaziland399 Effects of Chicken Manure on growth , Yield and Quality of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Taina Under a Lath House in a Semi-Arid Sub-Tropical EnvironmentMichael T. Masarirambi, Phiwokwakhe Dlamini, Paul K. Wahome and Tajudeen O. OseniDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Swaziland, Luyengo M205, SwazilandAbstract: Chicken Manure is natural, locally available and relatively cheap material that the organic vegetablegrowers can obtain.

2 Inorganic fertilizers are relatively expensive and can potentially contaminate theenvironment. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is one of the widely used salad vegetable crops in Swaziland. Thisexperiment was carried out in a lath house at Luyengo Campus, Horticulture Farm, University of Swaziland toassess the Effects of varied levels of Chicken Manure on growth , Yield and Quality of lettuce. The cultivar usedwas Taina . The levels of Chicken Manure used were 60, 40 and 20 t/ha. A control of inorganic fertilizer 2:3:2(22) + Zn was used at a rate of 955 kg/ha basal dressing and limestone ammonium nitrate (LAN 28%) ata rate of 100 kg/ha as side dressing.

3 The results showed that Chicken Manure levels significantly (P < )affected growth , Yield and nutritional Quality of lettuce. A trend of superiority of the different level of chickenmanure application was observed as lettuce provided with 60 t/ha exhibited higher values in number of leaves,plant height, marketable Yield and mean leaf dry mass. The second best results were obtained from plantssupplied with 40 t/ha followed by plants previously fertilized with 20 t/ha and the lowest from those providedwith inorganic fertilizer. However, there was no significant (P > ) difference in iron content on fresh massbasis for all treatments.

4 Results of this experiment showed that inorganic fertilizer was less suitable in lettuceproduction. Lettuce may be grown using 60 ton/ha Chicken Manure for a more productive enterprise. Key words: Chicken Manure Organic production Yield Quality Lactuca sativaINTRODUCTION varies considerably. Poultry litter is made out of rawAnimal manures have been used for plant productionwood shavings, grass cuttings, banana leaves or riceeffectively for centuries. Chicken Manure has long beenhulls. This combination provide an excellent source ofrecognized as perhaps the most desirable of these naturalnitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulfur (S)fertilizers because of its high nitrogen content [1, 2].

5 In[10].addition, manures supply other nutrients and serve as soilLettuce is a native of Europe, Asia and Northernamendments by adding organic matter [3-6]. OrganicAfrica and has been cultivated for over 5000 years [11].matter persistence in soil will vary with temperature,One piece of evidence that support this idea is thedrainage, rainfall and other environmental factors. Organicexistence of a primitive nearly wild form where it was firstmatter in soil improves moisture and nutrient retentioncultivated. The existence of this form suggests that itand soil physical properties [7-9].

6 The utilization oforiginated from wild lettuce most likely Lactuca serriolamanure is an integral part of sustainable agriculture [10].L commonly known as pink lettuce. The second evidenceChicken Manure is often produced in areas where it iswas found on Egyptian tomb painting, dating from theneeded for pastures and crop fertilization. The increasedmiddle kingdom, about 4500 years ago. The stylizedsize and frequent clean out of many poultry operationspaintings appear to be bundles of stems, similar to themake poultry Manure available in sufficient quantities andtype of presently cultivated lettuce in Egypt [12].

7 On timely basis to supply most fertilizer needs [1]. WhenNowadays lettuce is grown all over the world in places ofproperly applied, Chicken Manure can be a valuabledifferent climatic conditions and soil fertility for grass, small grains and other cropSuch remarkable distribution requires some degree ofproduction. The economics of using Chicken manuretechnology to adapt to such varied conditions. This ispoultry Manure and bedding materials such as sawdust,Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 12 (3): 399-406, 2012400why some workers have undertaken research on variousvegetables produced as well as human health.

8 Also, it willaspects of the crop to suite their conditions. There isbe possible to lessen the escalating Effects of diseasedearth of information pertaining to organic manuresuch as HIV and AIDS and cancer. Besides all these, farmrequirements of lettuce in a semi-arid sub-tropicalincome will improve when farmers use less inorganicenvironment as prevailing in many parts of and pesticides for growing crops. Less use ofLettuce leaves are a rich source antioxidants, Vitamininorganic fertilizer and pesticides will lessen negativeA and C [13] and phytochemicals which are anti-impact on impending permanent climate Lettuce is usually consumed individually asa salad or shredded in a salad mix of onion, tomato,The specific objectives of the study were to:cheese and basil.

9 It has now caught vegetable grower sattention in the Southern African region since it hasasses the effect of Chicken Manure and in organicincreasingly become popular as a salad vegetable [14]. fertilizers on growth of lettuce; and Commercial and subsistence farming has been relyingdetermine the feasibility of using different quantitieson organic fertilizers for growing crops [1]. This isof Chicken Manure on Yield and Quality of inorganic fertilizers are easy to use, are quicklyabsorbed and utilized by the crop. However in the longMATERIALS AND METHODSrun, they destroy the soil structure if they are not usedcarefully and increase the costs of production resulting inExperimental Site: The experiment was conducted in areduction of profit in crop production enterprises.

10 Thislath house at the University of Swaziland, Luyengostudy will provide information on how varied quantities ofCampus in the Horticulture Department. This was duringchicken manures affect growth Yield and Quality ofthe cropping year 2009/2010. The site is located betweenlettuce. As long as organic manures are available andlatitude 26 58 S and 31 E 18 E and at an altitude of 734comparablewith inorganic fertilizers in yieldm above sea level. The area receives an average annualimprovements, their use as sources of plant nutrients forprecipitation of 980 mm with most of rain occurringgrowing vegetable crops could assume increasingbetween October and April.