Response of Polynesian Arrowroot Tacca leontopetaloides to Fertilizer and Intra-Row Spacing at Garkawa

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Plateau State College of Agriculture, Garkawa to investigate the response of Polynesian arrowroot to fertilizer sources and intra-row spacing in 2011 and 2012 wet seasons.  Treatments consisted of three intra-row spacing (20, 25, 30cm) and five fertilizer sources (NPK, poultry manure, goat manure, cow dung and a control).These were factor ally combined and laid on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Polynesian arrowroot growth related characters (plant height, Leaf area) increased with decreased levels of intra-row spacing. Similarly, number of tillers/ha as well as fresh bulb weight kg/ha increased with decreased levels of intra-row spacing. The use of NPK fertilizer and poultry manure gave significant differences among all the fertilizer sources tried in both years. It is therefore concluded that among the intra-row spacing tried 20 and 25 cm were most appropriate, while among fertilizer sources tried NPK fertilizer and poultry manure were most appropriate.

Keywords: Polynesian arrowroot, Fertilizer, Manure, Intra-row spacing