African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6863

Full Length Research Paper

Use of cultured indigenous micro-organism (IMO) decomposed liquid chicken manure on the growth and yield of onions (Allium cepa)

Banalya Nathan
  • Banalya Nathan
  • Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, P. O. Box 1320, Mutare, Zimbabwe.
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Tuarira Mtaita
  • Tuarira Mtaita
  • Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, P. O. Box 1320, Mutare, Zimbabwe.
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Sebastian Chakeredza
  • Sebastian Chakeredza
  • Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, P. O. Box 1320, Mutare, Zimbabwe.
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Jefta Tabarira
  • Jefta Tabarira
  • Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, P. O. Box 1320, Mutare, Zimbabwe.
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  •  Received: 02 June 2023
  •  Accepted: 21 July 2023
  •  Published: 31 March 2024

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of indigenous micro-organism (IMO) decomposed liquid chicken manure on the growth and yield of onions set up at Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe. There were five treatments arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Treatments were: 1 (Onions grown with IMO decomposed liquid chicken manure only), 2 (IMO decomposed liquid chicken manure only), 3 (half recommended in organic fertilizer and half IMO decomposed liquid chicken manure), 4 (half recommended inorganic fertilizer and half non-IMO decomposed liquid chicken manure) and 5 (inorganic fertilizers only) using Red creole onion variety. Data on average plant height and number of leaves per plant at physiological maturity, average onion bulb width, onion fresh and cured weights was collected and analysed using Genstat. Growth and yield parameters of treatment 3 had the best results (P<0.05). Treatments 2, 3 and 5 were not significantly different at 5% level. It was also concluded that the use of IMO decomposed liquid chicken manure in combination with half the recommended in organic fertilizers had the best returns of 14.3% on investment.

Key words: Chicken manure, indigenous micro-organism (IMO), growth, yield, onion, return on investment.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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