Evaluation of Different Fertilizer Types in the Suppression of Root Knot Nematode Infection on Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) in Makurdi, Benue State

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi in the 2020/2021 planting season. To evaluate the effects of different fertilizer types in the control of root knot nematode of sweet potato. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatments were Liquid fertilizer (Super gro) and poultry dropping and control which were replicated three times. Before the treatments were applied, soil samples were collected for nematode extraction and the nematodes were extracted in the laboratory using the modified Bearmann tray technique. Super gro and geese droppings were applied at 2 weeks interval and 4 weeks interval. The results show a significant (p<0.05) reduction of root gall index, significant increase in root length, weight of roots and number of roots on the plots treated with fertilizer. This research work recommends the application of poultry droppings for the management of root knot nematode in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas).