EFFECT OF TYPE AND APPLICATION RATE OF LIQUID ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON THE ROOT DEVELOPMENT OF SELECTED CROPS (RICE AND BEAN) IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Declining soil fertility and high costs of chemical fertilizers reduce crop production in Nigeria. Liquid organic fertilizers (LOFs) from plant extracts and compost are a low-cost alternative that can improve early crop growth. This study tested two LOFs, Moringa leaf extract (MLE) and Sapphire Liquid Fertilizer (SLF), at two application rates (10 ml and 20 ml) on the root growth of rice (Oryza sativa var. FARO 44) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris var. SAMPEA 9). A screenhouse experiment was conducted at the University of Abuja using a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design plus control, with three replications. Root length, fresh weight, and dry weight were measured at 8 weeks after sowing. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Fisher’s LSD (p < 0.05). Both fertilizers significantly improved root growth. MLE at 20 ml gave the highest root length (32.73 cm), fresh weight (10.65 g), and dry weight (2.80 g), outperforming the control by 46%, 65%, and 79%, respectively. Rice had larger roots than beans, and fertilizer rate × crop interactions were significant. Moringa leaf extract at 20 ml is the most effective, low-cost fertilizer for improving root development in rice and bean seedlings in nutrient-poor soils.