Effect of Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia), cow dung and poultry droppings on the growth of okra (Abelmoschus esculentum)

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia), cow dung, and poultry droppings on the growth performance of Abelmoschus esculentum (okra). Being environmentally friendly and rich in essential nutrients, organic fertilizers are often used as alternatives to chemical fertilizers. The study aimed to determine which organic amendment promotes optimal growth of okra. The experiment was conducted at the Federal College of Forestry experimental farm, Jos, Nigeria. It was laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates, and the data collected were statistically analyzed. The results showed that poultry droppings significantly enhanced all measured growth parameters, making it the most effective treatment.  Okra plants treated with poultry droppings had the highest plant height (9.03cm), leaf count (4.09), collar girth (1.30cm), leaf length (6.89 cm), leaf width (7.99 cm), dry weight (1.47 g), and fresh weight (7.66 g) compared to the other treatments. Cow dung also improved the growth parameters of okra, though it was less effective than poultry droppings. The control group, which received no organic amendments, consistently exhibited the lowest values in all parameters measured, including plant height (6.21 cm), leaf count (3.99), collar girth (1.00 cm), leaf length (4.74 cm), and leaf width (5.37 cm). Root length (9.44 cm), root hairs (22.72), dry weight (0.96 g), and fresh weight (4.18 g) were also significantly lower than in the treated groups. These findings suggest that organic fertilizers, particularly poultry droppings, are viable options for improving okra production and overall plant health.