EFFECTS OF GOAT DROPPINGS AND POULTRY MANURE ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF AMARANTHUS HYBRIDUS

This study investigated the effects of goat droppings and poultry manure on the growth and yield of Amaranthus hybridus, a widely consumed leafy vegetable of nutritional and economic importance in Nigeria. The experiment was conducted at the Botanical Garden of the Department of Biology/Microbiology, Federal Polytechnic Idah, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments: garden soil only (control), soil treated with poultry manure, soil treated with goat droppings, and soil treated with a combination of poultry manure and goat droppings. Growth and yield parameters measured included plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of branches, and fresh and dry weights. Results revealed that poultry manure significantly enhanced vegetative growth compared to other treatments, producing the highest values for plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area as early as two weeks after planting. Goat droppings also improved plant growth, though at a slower rate, contributing to gradual soil enrichment and sustained growth over time. The combined application of goat droppings and poultry manure produced intermediate results, suggesting complementary effects of immediate and slow nutrient release. The control treatment consistently recorded the lowest values across all parameters. These findings indicate that poultry manure is highly effective in promoting rapid vegetative growth of Amaranthus hybridus, while goat droppings improve long-term soil fertility. The integration of both manures is recommended for sustainable vegetable production, as it balances short-term yield with soil health improvement.