Economic Analysis of Rain-Fed and Dry Season Bitter Leaf Production under Different Frequencies of Poultry Manure Application

Abstract

Despite the importance of bitter leaf, the performance on addition of poultry manure at intervals as well as its economic implication remains unknown. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted during the rainy and dry seasons to determine the agronomic performance of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina Del.) as influenced by mulching and frequency of poultry manure application and to also examine the economics of bitter leaf production under different frequencies of poultry manure application. The research was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out as a split plot in randomized complete block design with three replications. The factors comprised mulching (mulch and no mulch) in the main plot and varying frequencies of poultry manure application (no application, application at planting 2, 4 and 6 weeks intervals) as to the sub-plot. There was significant (P<0.05) variation in growth and yield of bitter leaf with the various frequencies of poultry manure application. Application of poultry manure at 2 and 4 weeks intervals gave optimal growth and yield during the rainy and dry seasons. However, using profitability indicators, which were, gross revenue, net revenue, benefit cost ratio (BCR) and profitability index of yield, application at 6 weeks intervals gave the highest net returns (₦37,835.00) as well as BCR (1.65) during the rainy season while application at planting gave the highest net returns (₦1,656,603.00) as well as BCR (36.1) during the dry season. Consequently, applying poultry manure at 6 weeks intervals was adjudged the most profitable for bitter leaf production during the rainy season while applying poultry manure only at planting was adjudged the most profitable for bitter leaf production during the dry season in the study area, hence these were recommended.