EFFECTS OF OIL PALM BUNCH ASH AND POULTRY MANURE INDEPENDENTLY ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF FRENCH BEANS

ABSTRACT

A field experiment entitled "Effects of oil palm bunch ash and poultry manure independently on the growth and yield of French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)" was carried out during December, 2012 to February, 2013, on the Research fields at the Department of Horticulture of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. The soil texture of the experimental site was clay and was low in available nitrogen (kg ha-1) and phosphorus ( kg ha-1) and high in available potassium ( kg ha1). There were three treatments; oil palm bunch ash, poultry manure and an inorganic fertiliser as control (NPK 15:15:15). The experiment was laid out in a RCBD with three replications. Results of the study showed that the application of Palm bunch ash significantly (P< 0.05) increased soil pH and exchangeable cations but not significant with Poultry manure application. Growth of French beans, except days to 50% anthesis which was significantly (P< 0.05) lower (28 and 29 DAS) with Palm bunch ash impose, did not vary significantly (P>0.05) among treatments. No significant difference was recorded on yield of French beans with respect to treatments imposed and recorded 597.32 kg ha-1 with poultry manure, palm bunch ash, 681.62 kg ha-1 and NPK, 477.82 kg ha-1 per treatment. Total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium uptake increased with the crop's growth. The study therefore recommends that French beans production as well as other crops can be cultivated using these organic wastes as fertiliser substitutes and soil amendments.