Effect of NPK Fertilizer and Animal Manure on Some Biometric Parameters of Irish Potato Solanum tuberosum L. in Bougham, West Region Cameroon

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of NPK-based fertilizers and animal fertilizers on some biometric parameters of Irish potato in the Western Highlands of Cameroon.

Place and Duration: The study was conducted in Bougham, a village in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. The seeds were sown on the 4th of May 2016. Harvesting was done in August 2014.

Methodology: A total area of 250 m2 area was cleared and prepared in to a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Each block was divided into nine ridges. Eight fertilizer treatments (NPK 15:1515, NPK 11:11:22, Pig dropping, Poultry dropping, and four bi-combinations of the animal and NPK-based fertilizer) and a control treatment were randomly assigned to each ridge per block. Local farmer’s methods were adopted into overall agronomic activities of the study. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was done to evaluate differences in means and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was used to separate means at a probability level of 0.05. Correlation analysis was also evaluated between biometric parameters.

Results: Fertilizer treatments had a significant (p=.05) influence on biometric parameters (Plant emergence, LAI, Plant height, Number of leaves, Plant cover, Number of plants harvested, Number of tubers per plant). There was no significant difference (p=.05) for number of tubers of plant. Significant correlation existed between some biometric parameters: plant emergence + number of plant harvested (r = 0.0514, p =.05), plant emergence + number of tubers per treatments (r = 0.693, p=.05).

Conclusion: In this study, it is implied that soil amendment practices influenced biometric parameters of Irish potato. Animal fertilizer: poultry and pig fertilizer had a great influence on growth and yield parameters. The advantages of incorporating organic fertilizer in crop production are enormous; rapid growth, high productivity, soil physio-chemical status revitalization and overall soil microbial activity.