Two Years Evaluation of Plantain and Banana Peels on Soil Properties and Dry Matter Yield of Okra in a Sandy Soil

Abstract:

Plantain and banana peels are common wastes that when properly harnessed increased the organic matter (OM) content and fertility status of soils. Thus, the effect of plantain and banana peels on selected soil chemical properties and okra yield was evaluated for 2 years. The study was established in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and four replications. The treatments studied were; Plantain peels (PT), Banana peels (BN), Plantain + Banana peel (PB) and control (CO) that received no application of the peels. Results showed that for the 2 years study, plantain peels and banana peels influenced the soil chemical properties tested and the agronomic parameters of okra, though most of the parameters tested recorded non-significant difference (P BN > PB > CO and PT > CO > PB > BN respectively. OM content in 2019 season was observed to be significantly increased relative to its value in 2018 planting season and the initial value, while Ca and Mg values obtained in 2019 season were below their critical value for crop production in the study area. The root and shoot dry matter yield showed highest value of 5.25gkg-1 and 2.75gkg-1 respectively in PB in 2018 planting season, but the yield values for the two parameters in 2019 planting season was 0.05gkg-1 and 0.07gkg-1 respectively for BN and PN. The growth parameters increased as the WAP increased in both 2018 and 2019 seasons. The result of the study showed that the use of plantain peels and banana peels in crop production activities can improve the soil fertility and crop yield though it will require continuous application for reasonable yield to be achieved beyond first planting.