Abstract
A field experiment conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, University of Calabar, evaluated the effect of poultry (PM) and goat manures (GM) on soil properties and the performance of okra. Treatments comprised 3 x 3 factorial combinations of PM and GM rates each at 0, 5 and 10 t/ha in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results obtained showed reduced acidity and higher nutrient content in the post-harvest soil. Manure significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced plant height, leaf production, leaf area index, flower production, onset of flowering, pod girth and length, and pod yield compared with control. Application of PM and GM sole or combined at 10 t/ha significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the growth and pod yield of okra. There were significant (P<0.05) PM x GM rates interactions on both growth and yield parameters evaluated. The best vegetative parameters and highest fresh pod yield of 2.74 t/ha obtained in plots jointly fertilized with 10 t/ha of PM and GM strongly indicates that combined application of different organic resources enhances their fertilizer efficiency and should be promoted in organic cropping to fast track soil fertility restoration for sustainable crop production on degraded land.

Keywords
Animal manure, degraded land, okra yield, soil management

Cite this paper
Shiyam, J. O, Binang, W. B., Stephen, G. E., EFFECT OF ANIMAL MANURE ON SOIL NUTRIENTS REPLISHMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) GROWN ON DEGRADED SANDY SOIL IN CALABAR, NIGERIA , SCIREA Journal of Environment. Volume 1, Issue 1, October 2016 | PP. 20-31.

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