AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA

ISSN Print: 2151-7517, ISSN Online: 2151-7525, doi:10.5251/abjna.2017.8.4.122.131

© 2017, ScienceHuβ, http://www.scihub.org/ABJNA

Effect of plant spacing and use of organo-mineral fertilizers on biomass

yield and profitability of Solanum scabrum cultivation on an aquox in the
western highlands of Cameroon
Boukong, A.*, Ghogomu R., Mvondo Awono, J.P., Tabi, F.O. and Meko, G.
Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Republic of Cameroon.
*Corresponding author; email. aboukong@yahoo.fr /obenft@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Although the cultivation of Solanum scabrum is an income generation activity on highly
impoverished soils in the western highlands of Cameroon, farmers are unaware of the optimum
plant population and fertilizer recommendations required to boost its production and to sustain
high yields. Field experiments were conducted in 2005 and 2006 to determine appropriate plant
spacing and efficient and profitable fertilizer recommendations for its production. Twenty four
treatment combinations were obtained from the combination of levels three factors: plant spacing
(30cmx30cm, 25cmx25cm, 20cmx20cm); nitrogen application rates (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha);
basal poultry manure (PM) application (0 and 10 t/ha). The treatments were laid out in a
randomized complete block design with three replicates. A local variety of S. scabrum, commonly
called „Foumbot‟, which is characterized by large leaves was used as test crop. Data was
collected on total fresh biomass, marketable fresh biomass, fresh leaf biomass and total dry
weight. All data were subjected to statistical analysis. In addition, an economic analysis was
performed to evaluate the profitability of the different treatment combinations. Mean fresh
biomass weight ranged from 8926 kg/ha (0 t/ha PM +60 kg N/ha +25cmx25cm) to 42216 kg/ha
(10 t/ha PM + 180 kg N/ha +20cmx20cm). The same trend was observed for mean marketable
fresh weight (6234 – 24852 kg/ha). Mean dry weight was least (852 kg DM/ha) with 0PM+60kg
N/ha+30cmx30cm treatment and highest (3638 kg DM/ha) with 10t/ha PM+180 kg
N/ha+20cmx20cm treatment. The differences in yields between treatments were highly (p<0.01)
significant. The 10t/ha PM+180 kg N/ha+25cmx25cm treatment was the only economically
profitable treatment with a benefit/cost ratio of 2.02 and is therefore recommended for degraded
Oxisols in the western highlands of Cameroon.
Keywords: Solanum scabrum; planting density; organo-mineral fertilizers; degraded Oxisols

INTRODUCTION harmful radicals, which have been linked to ailments

African nightshade, Solanum scabrum is intensively
cultivated in West Africa, particularly in Cameroon
(Fontem and Schippers, 2004). This leaf vegetable
plays an important role in the nutrition of inhabitants
of the western highlands of Cameroon. Consumed in
different forms, two to three times per week, as a
principal meal or associated with other foods, S.
scabrum is today an alternative to fish and meat diets
which attract very high prices. S scabrum is a source
of protein, vitamin and iron for many poor families.
Nightshade, as it is alternatively called, contains iron
levels that would provide 100% of the recommended
daily allowance and 50% for protein (Abukutsa et al.,
2010). It also has medicinal properties and health
benefits. African nightshade has been documented to
cure stomach ache and to contain substantial
amounts of antioxidants that scavenge for and bind to
such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular
diseases (Adesina and Gbile, 1984).
Although the demand for S. scabrum is increasing
progressively, supply has not been able to satisfy
demand. In relation to this, various reasons have
been attributed to the low supply or scarcity of S.
scabrum in local markets. Some of the reasons
include but are not limited to low yields resulting from
the cultivation of inherently poor and/or degraded
soils (PNGE, 1996; Kaho et al., 2001); lack of
appropriate technologies (cultural practices) required
to improve yield and increasing demand from large
cities and neighboring countries like Nigeria and
Gabon). In addition, the introduction of exotic
vegetables on the continent had some negative
impact on the cultivation of indigenous vegetables.
Until recently, research and development efforts have

focused mainly on improving production practices for
exotic vegetables, with little attention to more diverse
and abundant indigenous species and varieties.
Two series of questionnaires designed to capture
information related to S, scabrum cultivation in
Menoua Division in Cameroon by Kenmegne (2000)
and Alongamo and Kekehe (2007) revealed that 70
% and 50 % of producers respectively, apply poultry
manure and urea at variable rates, on plots with
variable plant population or densities, and in most
cases, these farmers are unable to make profits.
Growers of African nightshade obtain yields of about
3.0 tonnes ha-1 which compares dismally to potential
yields of about 30 tonnes ha-1 with high fertilizer use
(Mwai et al., 2012). Recent surveys have shown that
most farmers in peri-urban areas where production is
more market-oriented, variable amounts of fertilizers
are applied. The problem associated with this high
dependence is that in the absence of specific
guidelines, market oriented growers may be tempted
to supply high amounts of nitrogen in order to obtain
high leaf yields. This may be harmful to the
consumers since these vegetables are known to
accumulate phytochemicals like phenolics, alkaloids,
nitrates and oxalates, whose concentrations may
depend on the level of fertilizer used. Nitrate
accumulation in the vegetables is a well-recognized
health hazard to consumers (Taiz and Zeiger, 1998).
More specifically, African nightshades are known to
accumulate nitrates (Edmonds and Chweya, 1997).
The use of poultry manure in vegetable production is
on the rise in tropical farming systems. Application of
poultry manure has been an age-long traditional and
is still the most important manure in use. Amanullah
et al. (2010) attribute high use of poultry manure to
many reasons: it contains all the essential plant
nutrients that are used by plants. It contains nutrient
elements that can support crop production and
enhance the physical and chemical properties of the
soil. In addition, its application increases the number
and diversity of soil microorganisms, particularly in
sandy conditions, which enhances crop health by
increasing water and nutrient availability, as well as
suppressing harmful levels of plant parasitic
nematodes, fungi and bacteria.
Optimal use of organo-mineral fertilizers and
appropriate plant spacing are required to boost crop
production (Traoré et al., 2007). Even then, there is
limited information on appropriate cultural practices
on this highly preferred vegetable (Mwai et al., 2012).
Improved production technologies will lead to
increased yields and improved nutrition and
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Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(4): 122-131
economic empowerment of rural communities
(Abukutsa, 2010).
This study was set up to evaluate the effects of plant
density and use of poultry manure and/or urea on
yield and profitability of marketable fresh biomass.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Description of the site: Two experiments were
conducted in (2005 and 2006) at the research and
application farm of the university of Dschang (lat.
5°20‟ N and long. 10°05‟ E) during the months of
March and August. Dschang is within the western
Highlands agro-ecological zone (WHC), which is
characterized by long-term annual rainfall of
1960mm, with peak rainfall obtained during the
months of August and September. Mean minimum
and maximum temperatures range from 14.4 –
16.7°C and 22.0 – 28.3°C respectively. The climatic
conditions experienced during the conduct of the
experiments are presented in Table 1.
Table 1: Climatic conditions during the conduct of the
experiments in 2005 and 2006
Mean Relative
Rainfall
Year Temperature Humidity n/N
(mm)
(°C) (%)
2005 671 20.6 82.6 0.44
2006 544 20.5 82.6 0.44
The soils (Table 2) are broadly classified as Aquox,
having slopes ranging between 0 and 2 % and are
moderately drained. Surface (0 – 20 cm) soil texture
is clayey and pH is moderately acid. The soil was
high in total N but low in available phosphorus.
Field experiments: The poultry manure commonly
that was used is that obtained from layers, which is
sold locally in 40 – 50 kg bags. The chemical
properties are presented in Table 2. The variety of S.
scabrum used is SS09. It is characterized by large
leaves a principal stem with purple coloration and
branches. It is locally called “Foumbot”. It is the most
preferred variety in the western highlands of
Cameroon.
Field experiments were conducted in 2005 and 2006
to determine appropriate plant spacing and efficient
and profitable fertilizer recommendations for S.
scabrum. Twenty four treatment combinations were
obtained from the combination of levels of three
factors: plant spacing (30cmx30cm, 25cmx25cm,
20cmx20cm); nitrogen application rates (0, 60, 120
 Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(4): 122-131

and 180 kg/ha); basal poultry manure (PM) KCl followed by quantification of Al and H by titration
application (0 and 10 t/ha). The treatment (Pauwels et al., 1992). Effective cation exchange
combinations were laid out in a randomized complete capacity (ECEC) was determined as sum of bases
block design with three replicates. The 20cm x 20cm, and EA. Apparent CEC (CEC7) was determined
25cm x 25cm and 30cm x 30 cm plant spacing directly as outlined by Pauwels et al. (1992). Part of
represented 250 000, 160 000 and 111 111 plants/ha the fine soil was ball-milled for organic carbon (OC)
respectively. A total of 24 treatment combinations and Kjeldahl-N analysis (Pauwels et al., 1992). The
were investigated. percentage base saturation (BS) was the summation
of total exchangeable bases expressed as a
Experimental units consisted of ridges of 1.25 m x 2
percentage of ECEC.
m x 0.25 m separated by a spacing of 0.5 m. The
blocks were separated by 1.0 m spacing. The ridges
were made manually with the hoe and poultry
Table 2: Physico-chemical characteristics of soils
manure was applied three days before transplanting and chemical characteristics of poultry manure
one month-old S. scabrum seedlings. Band (PM) used in 2005 and 2006
application (5 cm from the plant) of urea was carried Year 2005 Year 2006
out 4 days after transplanting. Plants were treated Characteristics
against mildew and leaf eating pests using Ridomil Soil PM Sol PM
and Decis 25 Ec, respectively every 10 days during pH (H2O) 5.66 7.25 5.46 7.54
the first month of the experiment and every 15 days
Org. carbon (%) 8.72 41.60 8.62 20.36
until harvest, using respective doses of 2.5 kg and
-1
1.25l/ha. Total N (g.kg ) 5.84 22.00 2.98 25.90
- -1
Harvesting was done progressively at 30, 45, 60 and N-NO3 (mg.kg ) - 8.00 - 7.80
75 days after transplanting (DAT). The principal stem +
N-NH4 (mg.kg ) -1
- 5.67 - 0.67
was cut with a knife at a height of 5 cm above ground
level. Weights obtained were reported in kg/ha. With C/N 8.88 10.00 16.70 7.86
-1
the second, third and fourth harvests, ramifications of Avail. P (mg.kg ) 10.44 - 6.25 -
5 cm length minimum were cut at 1 cm distance from -1
Soluble P (mg.kg ) - 13.33 - 10.67
the principal stem. For each harvest, six plants were
-1
randomly selected and separated into stems, leaves CEC7(cmol.kg ) 25.25 - 12.87 -
and when available, flowers and seeds, for laboratory Exch. K (cmol.kg ) -1
0.82 5.20 0.90 1.90
determination of dry matter biomass of the different -1
plant parts as well as their nitrogen contents. The Exch. Ca (cmol.kg ) 2.25 9.68 2.65 5.88
percentage biomass (fresh and dry) represented by Exch. Mg (cmol.kg ) -1
0.68 3.44 0.70 2.40
leaves was calculated.
Exchangeable Na 0.10 2.00 0.31 0.20
Laboratory analysis: Soil samples and poultry (cmol.kg-1)
manure were analyzed for physical and chemical
∑Base (cmol.kg-1) 3.85 20.32 4.56 10.38
properties. Particle size distribution was determined
by hydrometer method according the procedure of BS (%) 15.27 - 35.43 -
Bouyoucos (1962). Soil pH was measured Texture Clay - Clay -
electrometrically in 1:2.5 soil/ water ratio with a pH
meter. Phosphorus was. Extracted using Bray 2
solution and read in a spectrophotometer. Statistical and economic analyses: Treatment
Exchangeable cations were extracted with 0.1M means were compared using the analysis of variance
BaCl2 method and analyzed with atomic absorption technique and where different, means were
spectrometer. Exchangeable acidity was determined separated using the least significant difference test
by the KCl extraction method and the extractant was (LSD) at a probability of 5 % GENSTAT version 9.2
titrated against 0.05N NaOH. Exchangeable cations was used for the analysis. In order to conduct an
were determined by extracting with 1N ammonium economic analysis of the different treatments, partial
acetate at pH 7, potassium and Na in the extract budgeting analysis techniques was employed. Partial
were determined using flame photometer and Mg and budgeting technique relies on the ability to isolate
Ca determined by complex metric titration. costs and benefits that vary with introduction of new
Exchangeable acidity (EA) was extracted with 1M

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technologies. It assumes that as farmers make the
switch from one practice to another, they anticipate to
make savings either in terms of reduced costs,
increased benefits or reduced use of resources to
attain the same or more output per unit area. Partial
budgeting was employed to determine the various
costs that vary with treatments and their
corresponding benefits. The data were obtained from
field experiments and prevailing market prices and
wages in the study area.
A benefit (B)/cost (C) analysis was done to evaluate
the profitability of fertilizer and manure use in the
experiments. The B/C ratio was calculated based on
the following costs:
- Cost of fertilizers (CF). The cost depended
on the quantity used and market price. The
market prices for 1 kg of urea and poultry
manure were 400 FCFA and 55 FCFA
respectively.
- Transportation cost (CT): An average cost of
4 FCFA/kg was used.
- Cost of fertilizer application (CFAP): this cost
varied with type of fertilizer and plant density.
Poultry manure was applied at a cost of 3500
FCFA/ha, while urea was applied at a cost of
37 500, 31 500 and 25 000 FCFA for 20 x 20
cm, 25 x 25 cm and 30 x 30 cm plant spacing
respectively.
- Cost of supplementary labor (CSL)
represented cost of harvesting. It was fixed at
a rate of 7,5 FCFA/kg
Total cost of production CTP = CF + CT + CFAP +
CSL
All costs were adjusted for interest on investment (II)
which is calculated as shown below:
II = CTP x 4.25 x n/100 N; were n = number of man
days used for the application of poultry manure (79);
N = number of days in a year (365); 4.25 is the
current interest rate recognized in Cameroon
economy. The cost of production using mineral
fertilizers (CPF) becomes: CPF = CT + IT
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The monetary value of supplementary yield (VSY) is
the product of supplementary yield and a farm gate
rate of 85 FCFA/kg.
Supplementary yield = mean yield of treatment –
mean yield of control treatment of the corresponding
plant density.
Profitability with fertilizer use for the different plant
densities was calculated as:
RT (%) = (VRRS – CPF) x 100/CPF
= ([VSY/CPF] – 1) x 100
= (VRC – 1) x 100
According to FAO (1987), with fertilizer application in
an environment where water is not limiting, a B/C
ratio > 2 is acceptable.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Site suitability for S. scabrum cultivation: The
climatic and soil conditions of the experimental site
were suitable for S. scabrum cultivation. Long-term
annual rainfall of the site was 1960 mm and 671 mm
and 544 mm during the 2005 and 2006 cropping
seasons respectively (Table 1). Mean temperature
was 21°C. Although S. scabrum perform well in a
wide range of climatic conditions, nightshades grow
best under cool moist conditions in medium to high
altitudes. Optimum growth temperatures range
between 15°C and 35°C (Mwai et al., 2012). They
perform best during high rainfall seasons, but such
conditions also increase the prevalence of foliar
diseases. The soils were clayey, acidic (pHw 5.66
and 5.46) and low in available P and exchangeable
bases (Table 2). S. scabrum grows in various soil
types, but are best adapted to soils of high fertility;
especially those rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and
organic matter. Sandy loams to friable clay soils with
a pH range of 6.0-6.5 are particularly suitable
(Fawusi, 1983; Edmonds and Chweya, 1997).
Effect of treatments on biomass yield: The effects
of the different treatments on fresh marketable
biomass, fresh leaf biomass and total dry matter
(TDM) are presented in Table 3.
 Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(4): 122-131

Table 3 : F-test for the comparison of CFB, TDM and CFLB biomass yields

F-probability1
Sources of variation DF
CFB TDM CFLB
Block 2 0.158 0.119 0.190
Season 1 <0.001** <0.001* <0.001**
Treatment 23 <0.001** <0.001* <0.001**
Season x treatment 23 0.673 0.151 0.831
Error 94 - - -
Total 143
C.V (%) - 23.8 21.3 23.8
1*Significant at 5% **Significant at 1%
CFB: Cumulative Fresh Biomass TDM: Total Dry Matter
CFLB: Cumulative Fresh Leaf Biomass

Table 4: Effect of poultry manure, nitrogen application and planting density on mean biomass yield of S. scabrum

Nitrogen CFB CFLB

Treatment PM (t/ha) spacing TDM (kg/ha)
(kg/ha) (kg/ha) (kg/ha)
8 10 180 20x20 42216a 3638a 24852a
6 10 60 20x20 40978 a 3553 a 24380 a
16 10 180 25x25 38444 ab 3458 ab 23388 ab
7 10 120 20x20 37017 ab 3215 abcd 22088 abcd
15 10 120 25x25 36464 abc 3082 bcde 22382 abc
14 10 60 25x25 33317 bcd 2856 def 20357 bcde
5 10 0 20x20 33292 bcd 3017 cde 20236 bcde
13 10 0 25x25 30627 cde 2684 efg 18872 cde
23 10 120 30x30 29781 def 2601 efg 18164 def
22 10 60 30x30 28692 def 2379 fgh 17570 ef
24 10 180 30x30 26143 ef 2295 gh 17083 ef
21 10 0 30x30 23542 f 2084 hi 14625 fg
12 0 180 25x25 16870 g 1501 jk 11217 gh
3 0 120 20x20 16156 g 1527 jk 11217 gh
4 0 180 20x20 15902 g 1532 jk 10776 h
1 0 0 20x20 15540 gh 1590 ij 10427 hi
2 0 60 20x20 15117 gh 1472 jk 9845 hij
11 0 120 25x25 14326 ghi 1313 jkl 9580 hij
19 0 120 30x30 13820 ghi 1147jkl 8988 hij
17 0 0 30x30 12743 ghi 1169 jkl 8240 hij
9 0 0 25x25 11802 ghi 1147 jkl 8023 hij
20 0 180 30x30 11034 ghi 1019 kl 7415 hij
18 0 60 30x30 9189 hi 852 i 6568 ij
10 0 60 25x25 8926 i 895 i 6234 j

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Table 5: F-test on principal factors and interactions for different biomass yields

Signification
Sources of variation DF
CFB TDM CFLB
Block 2
Season 1 <0.001** <0.001** <0.001**
Density 2 <0.001** <0.001** <0.001**
PM 1 <0.001** <0.001** <0.001**
Nitrogen 3 0.017* 0.024* 0.022*
Season x Density 2 0.851 0.601 0.884
Season x PM 1 0.652 0.006** 0.706
Density x PM 2 0.003** 0.004** 0.025*
Season x Nitrogen 3 0.461 0.444 0.623
Density x Nitrogen 6 0.190 0.111 0.373
PM x Nitrogen 3 0.044* 0.046* 0.080
Season x Density x PM 2 0.200 0.285 0.286
Season x Density x Nitrogen 6 0.835 0.770 0.653
Season x PM x Nitrogen 3 0.835 0.667 0.892
Density x PM x Nitrogen 6 0.951 0.977 0.981
Season x Density x PM x Nitrogen 6 0.188 0.090 0.379
Error 94 - - -
Total 143 - - -
C.V (%) - 23.8 21.3 23.8

Table 6: Mean separation of different biomass yields with respect to main factors
CFB (kg/ha)
Density (cm Nitrogen PM
Season Yield (kg/ha) Yield (kg/ha) Yield (kg/ha) Yield (kg/ha)
x cm) (kg/ha) (t/ha)
2005 28 930a 20 x 20 27 027a 0 21 258b 0 13 452b
2006 17 898b 25 x 25 23 847b 60 22 703ab 10 33 376a
30 x 30 19 368c 120 24 594a
180 25 101a
TDM (kg/ha)
Density (cm Nitrogen PM
Season Yield (kg/ha) Yield (kg/ha) Yield (kg/ha) Yield (kg/ha)
x cm) (kg/ha) (t/ha)
2005 2 409a 20 x 20 2 443a 0 1 949b 0 1 271b
2006 1 767b 25 x 25 2 117b 60 2 001 b 10 2 905a
30 x 30 1 704c 120 2 162ab
180 2 241a
CFLB
Density (cm Nitrogen Yield PM
Season Yield (kg/ha) Yield (kg/ha) Yield (kg/ha)
x cm) (kg/ha) (kg/ha) (t/ha)
2005 28 930a 20 x 20 27 027a 0 21 258b 0 13 452b
2006 17 898b 25 x 25 23 847b 60 22 703ab 10 33 376a
30 x 30 19 368c 120 24 594a
180 25 101a

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Table 7 : Effect of poultry manure, nitrogen and plant spacing on profitability of Solanum scabrum

PM N spacing MMFB RS CE CTRS CEP CTR CT II CIF PRRS

Trait RVC RT (%)
(kg/ha) (kg/ha) (cm x cm) (kg/ha) (kg/ha) (fcfa) (fcfa) (fcfa) (fcfa) (fcfa) (fcfa) (fcfa) (fcfa)

1 0 0 20x20 15540 - - - - - - - - - - -
2 0 60 20x20 15117 -423 52174 0 37500 522 90196 830 91026 -35955 0,39 -139,50
3 0 120 20x20 16156 616 104348 4620 37500 1044 147512 1357 148869 52360 0,35 -64,83
4 0 180 20x20 15902 362 156522 2715 37500 1565 198302 1824 200126 30770 0,15 -84,62
5 10 0 20x20 33292 17752 550000 133140 35000 40000 758140 6974 765114 1508920 1,97 97,22
6 10 60 20x20 40978 25438 602174 190785 72500 40522 905981 8334 914315 2162230 2,36 136,49
7 10 120 20x20 37017 21477 654348 161078 72500 41044 928970 8545 937515 1825545 1,95 94,72
8 10 180 20x20 42216 26676 706522 200070 72500 41565 1020657 9389 1030046 2267460 2,20 120,13
9 0 0 25x25 11802 - - - - - - - - - - -
10 0 60 25x25 8926 -2876 52174 0 31500 522 84196 774 84970 -244460 -2,88 -387,70
11 0 120 25x25 14326 2524 104348 18930 31500 1044 155822 1433 157255 214540 1,36 36,43
12 0 180 25x25 16870 5068 156522 38010 31500 1565 227597 2094 229691 430780 1,88 87,55
13 10 0 25x25 30627 18825 550000 141188 35000 40000 766188 7048 773235 1600125 2,07 106,94
14 10 60 25x25 33317 21515 602174 161363 66500 40522 870559 8008 878566 1828775 2,08 108,15
15 10 120 25x25 36464 24662 654348 184965 66500 41044 946857 8710 955567 2096270 2,19 119,37
16 10 180 25x25 38444 26642 706522 199815 66500 41565 1014402 9331 1023733 2264570 2,21 121,21
17 0 0 30x30 12743 - - - - - - - - - - -
18 0 60 30x30 9189 -3554 52174 0 25000 522 77696 715 78411 -302090 -3,85 -485,27
19 0 120 30x30 13820 1077 104348 8078 25000 1044 138470 1274 139743 91545 0,66 -34,49
20 0 180 30x30 11034 -1709 156522 0 25000 1565 183087 1684 184771 -145265 -0,79 -178,62
21 10 0 30x30 23542 10799 550000 80993 35000 40000 705993 6494 712487 917915 1,29 28,83
22 10 60 30x30 28692 15949 602174 119618 60000 40522 822314 7564 829878 1355665 1,63 63,36
23 10 120 30x30 29781 17038 654348 127785 60000 41044 883177 8124 891301 1448230 1,62 62,48
24 10 180 30x30 26143 13400 706522 100500 60000 41565 908587 8358 916945 1139000 1,24 24,22
MMFB: cumulative fresh biomass yield; RS: yield increase due to fertilizer; CE: cost of fertilizer; CTRS: additional cost related to supplementary harvest;
CEP: cost of nutrient application; CTR: transportation cost; CT: total cost; CIF: cost introduced by fertilizer; VMRS: income from additional harvest; RVC: benefit/cost ratio;
RT: economic profit.

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The high biomass yields were obtained with the
application of poultry manure either sale or in
association with urea. Lower yields were obtained
where sole urea was applied irrespective of the rate.
The ranges in fresh marketable biomass yield, total
dry matter weight and total leaf biomass for
treatments which received 10 t/ha poultry manure
were 23.5 – 42.2 t/ha, 2.1 – 3.6 t/ha and 14.6 – 24.9
t/ha respectively. For the treatments which received
sole urea the ranges were 8.9 – 16.9 t/ha, 0.9 – 1.5
t/ha and 6.2 – 11.2 t/ha respectively. Marketable
fresh weight with 10 t/ha application of poultry
manure was two and one half times more than with
no application. The difference was highly (P < 0.001)
significant. There was a significant (P = 0.003)
interaction effect between density and poultry manure
and nitrogen X poultry manure (P = 0.044) while
nitrogen x density interaction and nitrogen x poultry
manure x density interaction were not significant (P >
0,05) for all the biomass yields considered.
The highest MMFB (42216 kg/ha) was obtained with
10 t/ha poultry manure, 180 kg N (urea) at a spacing
of 20 x 20 statistically. This yield was comparable
with 10 t/ha poultry manure, 120 kg N (urea) at 20 x
20 spacing; 10 t/ha poultry manure 60 N (urea) at 20
x 20 spacing and 10 t/ha poultry manure, 120 and
180 kg N (urea) at 25 x 25 spacing. With the
application of 10 t/ha poultry manure, MMFB yield
decreased significantly with increasing spacing but
remained unchanged with no application of poultry
manure. Based on agronomic use efficiency,
application of 10 t/ha poultry manure, 60 kg N/ha at a
plant spacing of 20 x 20 cm was more attractive
compared to 10 t/ha poultry manure at the same
spacing but with 3 times more (180 kg/ha N) nitrogen.
Although use of 10 t/ha poultry manure, 60 kg N/ha
urea at 20 x 20 cm was agronomically attractive,
economically, it had a lower (1.81) benefit/cost ratio
compared to 10 t/ha poultry manure 180 kg N/ha at
25 x 25 spacing (2.02).
Although total N content of the two soil used in the
study was low, there was no response to N
application. This could be attributed to low P status
(Available P < 15 ppm) and unfavorable rainfall in
2006.according to Sys (1993), rainfall was
moderately suitable. In the absence of P, nitrogen is
not efficiently utilized (Mengel and Kirby, 1982). The
results obtained, indicated a positive response to
application of 10 t/ha poultry manure combined with
mineral N application. Poultry many has higher N
content as well as other nutrients which are gradually
as well as other nutrients which are gradually
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Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2017, 8(4): 122-131
released to the plant. This may explain why a high
yield was obtained with 60 kg N in combination with
10 t/ha poultry manure. In addition to its value as an
organic N source, poultry manure has been shown to
increase soil organic matter content and to effectively
reduce root knot populations and root galling
vegetables (Uko et al., 2013). Application of 10 t/ha
poultry manure has been recommended by many
authors (Aseigbu, 1987; Opara and Aseigbu, 1996).
Good soil fertility encourages vigorous growth and
increased leaf production. Nightshades require large
amounts of nutrients and respond positively to
increased soil fertility (Edmonds and Chweya, 1997).
Well-decomposed poultry, farmyard or compost
manure at the rate of 5-10 t/ha should be worked into
the soil prior to planting. Where manure is not
available, a compound fertilizer such as NPK should
be incorporated at the rate of 120-150 kg/ha during
sowing/transplanting. N-fertilizers such as urea and
ammonium sulphate (60 kgN/ha) are used as
top/side dressings after every 2-3 harvests; and foliar
sprays are used in commercial production. Although
high levels of nitrogen increase yield, they should be
used cautiously as this may reduce dry matter
content, make plants more susceptible to diseases
and cause build-up of nitrates in leaves to toxic levels
(Schippers, 2002). Mwai et al. (2009a) found that the
rates of urea up to 120 kg/ha did not produce
significant response in leaf yield, but the response of
berry and seed yield was significant. Thus, the
responsiveness of vegetative and reproductive the
yield components in vegetable nightshades to
available N was in the order berry yield > seed yield >
leaf yield. Thus N fertilizer should be applied at lower
rates (60 kg N/ha) for leaf crops, but higher rates (up
to 120 kg N/ha) may be applied to berry and seed
crops
The economic analysis is presented in Table 7.
Because of the acceptable threshold of B/C ratio of
the later treatment is considered profitable for
farmers in the western highlands of Cameroon. The
yield advantage obtained with 60 kg N, 10 t/ha
poultry manure at 20 x 20 spacing was lower than the
cost implications to obtain it. The additional cost
incurred to purchase plants required as well as labour
cost for transplanting them at 20 x 20 cm spacing
was higher by 180 000 FCFA than the cost incurred
at a spacing 25 x 25 cm in addition, it would be more
economical to purchase additional fertilizer (moving
from 60 kg N to 180 kg N/ha) at an extra cost of
104 348 FCFA, which is lower than the 180 000
FCFA cited above. The extra labour cost related to

harvest plots that received 180 kg N at 20 x 20
spacing and those with similar or rate but at 25 x 25
spacing (255 FCFA) was not significant.
CONCLUSION
Degraded tropical Oxisols of the western highlands
are not responsive to sole nitrogen application with S.
scabrum as test crop. Sole use of urea at 180 kg/ha
for marketable black knight shade production at a
spacing of 25 x 25 cm produces 16 870 kg/ha of
RMFC, compared to 38 444 kg/ha (more than
double) when 10 t/ha poultry manure is applied.
Although agronomic use efficiency was higher with
10 t/ha PM + 60 kg N/ha at 20 x 20 cm spacing, the
treatment, 10 t/ha PM+180 kg N/ha+ 25x25cm was
identified as the most beneficial.
RECOMMANDATIONS
For commercial S. scabrum production, sole use of
urea on degraded Oxisols is not advisable.
Application of 180 kg N/ha, 10 t/ha poultry manure
using a plant spacing of 25cm x 25cm is highly
profitable.
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