Effect of Cowdung and NPK Fertilizer on the Early Growth of Tamarindus indica. L in Kaduna Northern Guinea Savanna Eco - Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka-Kaduna, nursery to determine the effect of cow dung and NPK (15:15:15) fertilizers on the early growth of Tamarindus indica. Seeds of matured Tamarindus indica were collected from plus tree at Trial Afforestation Project, Afaka-Kaduna. Pre-treated with 50% of sulphuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) for 60 minutes to break the seed dormancy and sown directly in nursery pots filled with top soil, ten (10) potted seedlings were picked two (2) weeks after germination and divided into three (3) groups of Three (3) different levels (3g;6g and9g) of cowdung and NPK fertilizers. The experiment was laid out using Complete Randomized Design (CRD), ring method of fertilizers application were used. measured include seedling height; number of leaves and seedlings diameter the data was collected at 2WBFA, 4WAFA,6WAFAand 8WAFA and subjected to analysis of variance and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT)at the end of the experiment the result s show that application of cowdung at various doses significantly (P>0.05) yielded better growth and seedlings quality of Tamarindus indica as compared to NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer. NPK applied at 6 grams and 9 grams were significantly (P>0.05) toxic to the seedlings which led to high mortality rate after application. However, from the results obtained in this experiment it was recommended that cowdung should be utilized to make nutrient available for optimal growth of Tamarindus indica seedlings and the application of NPK fertilizers above 3g on Tamarindus indica seedlings should be discouraged.