Abstract:
This study was carried out to search for an alternative source of nutrients to N.P.K fertilizer using poultry droppings and cattle dung for the production of upland rice, in Nsukka town. Four research questions were developed and answered in consonance with the purpose of the study. Three null research hypotheses and three block hypotheses were formulated and tested at the probability of 0.05 level of significance, and 3 and 9 degrees of freedom. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was the experimental design used. The data were analyzed using Mean and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for RCBD. Mean separation was done using Fisher’s least Significant Difference (LSD0.05) at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that: Poultry droppings gave the highest yields, followed by N.P.K fertilizer, next was cattle dung and no treatment was the least. Poultry dropping had the longest maturity period, followed by N.P.K fertilizer, next was cattle dung and no treatment was the least. N.P.K fertilizer gave the highest cost benefit, followed by poultry droppings, next was cattle dung and no treatment was the least. Poultry droppings had the highest growth, followed by N.P.K fertilizer, next was cattle dung and no treatment was the least. Soil and climatic conditions at Nsukka town supported upland rice production. The result of the null hypotheses tested showed that there were significant differences in the yields, maturity and growth of the upland rice among the treatments and the blocks. It was recommended that the poultry droppings and cattle dung with their cost benefit should be passed to the teachers of Agriculture and farmers in a workshop and through the Extension Agents respectively.
