Effects of poultry manure based compost and NPK fertilizer on the growth and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. moench) in Bauchi state Nigeria

The experiment was conducted at the teaching and research farm of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (10°22' N and 9°47' E), to study the effects of poultry manure based compost, NPK fertilizer and spacing on the growth and yield of sorghum. The treatments consisted of Poultry manure based compost (0, 1 and 2 t/ha), NPK fertilizer (0, 30 and 60 kg/ha) and two spacings (25 cm x 75 cm and 30 cm x 75 cm). Factorially combined given 18 treatments combination, laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Data collected was analysed using ANOVA and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was adopted to separate significantly different treatments means. The result of the experiment revealed that, application of 60 kg NPK and 2 t/ha poultry manure based compost proved to be significantly (P=0.05) better in promoting growth and yield of sorghum than all other rates and all the rates were better than the control. Considering spacing however, growing sorghum spaced at 30 cm x 75 cm gave significantly (P=0.05) higher growth and yield than 25 cm x 75 cm. Study on interaction revealed that, combine application of 60 kg NPK/ha and 2 t/ha poultry manure based compost gave significantly (P=0.05) higher growth and yield of sorghum. Based on this result, combine application of NPK fertilizer and poultry manure based compost to sorghum spaced at 30 x 75 cm will address the issue of soil fertility in the study area.