IMPACT OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC AMENDMENTS ON SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND SOYBEAN CROP PERFORMANCE IN NSUKKA, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Soil amendments influence soil fertility and increase crop yield. A field experiment was conducted at the University of Nigeria Teaching and Research Farm, Nsukka to examine the effects of organic and inorganic amendments on the chemical properties and crop performance of soybean (Glycine max). Twelve treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments comprised individual and combined applications of urea (N), single super phosphate (SSP), N15P15K15 (NPK), poultry manure (PM), cattle dung (CD), including a control. Soil samples from each treatment plot were characterized before cropping and after harvest. Results of the effects of amendments on the rhizoshpere and growth and yield of soybean showed that there was significant increase in soil chemical properties. The number of trifoliate functional leaves and grain yield of soybean (5.70 t ha-1) were significantly highest with application of T9 as compared to other treatments.