Wasiu Akanbi, James Adediran, Amudalat Olaniyan, A. O. Togun:
An Economic Analysis of Split Application of Organomineral Fertiliser on Okra in Humid Forest Zone of Nigeria

WASIU AKANBI¹, JAMES ADEDIRAN², AMUDALAT OLANIYAN³, A. O. TOGUN^4
1Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Department of Agronomy, Nigeria
²Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Soil and Water Management, Nigeria
³University of Ibadan, Department of Agronomy, Nigeria
⁴University of Ibadan, Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, Nigeria

Field experiments were carried out during cropping seasons on a sand loam soil, with okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Moench) at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan Nigeria to evaluate the economic viability of split application of organomineral fertiliser on okra. The study involved the use of organic based fertiliser split applied at different rates. The treatment consisted of (i)  [4]tonnesha compost applied once (ii) 2 split application of [4]tonnesha compost (iii) 3 split application of [4]tonnesha compost (iv) Single application of [2]tonnesha compost with 30kg N/ha (v) 2  split application of [2]tonnesha compost + 30kg N/ha (vi) 3 split application of [2]tonnesha +30kg N/ha (vii) Recommended dose of inorganic fertiliser and (viii) control (no fertiliser application).

The three agro-economic indicators: increased yield, increased net returns and benefit cost ratio were employed in determining the suitability of split application of organic and inorganic fertiliser. Results showed that the most profitable practice was the 2 split application of [2]tonnesha compost enriched with 30kg N/ha. The treatment produced a favourable 1.9: 1 benefit: cost ratio, increased net returns of between 20.2% and 74.3% per hectare and gave maximum profit per naira above other treatments hence its recommendation as a modest cultural practice. Fortifications of compost with mineral fertiliser reduced the cost of production, increased the net return and produced higher benefit: cost ratio. Based on the above it is concluded that 2-split application of [2]tonnesha compost + [30]kgha is economically suitable for okra production in the humid forest zone of Nigeria.

Keywords: Economic analysis, fertiliser, okra, organic manure, split application of fertiliser

Full paper: http://www.tropentag.de/2004/abstracts/full/143.pdf

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Contact Address: Amudalat Olaniyan, University of Ibadan, Department of AgronomyIbadan, Nigeria, e-mail: abolaniyanyahoo.com