The Influence of Poultry Manure Application on Eggplant (Solanum Aethiopicum L.) Tolerance to Weed Interference

Abstract

Garden egg is a vegetable valued for its nutritional and economic benefits. Its production is often constrained by poor soil fertility and weed competition interference. Improving soil fertility could enhance crop tolerance to weed competition. Therefore, this study investigates the influence of poultry manure (PM) on garden egg's resilience against weed competition. In a 4×2 factorial combination, PM at 0, 15, 30, and 45 kg N/ha represented as control, low, moderate, and high soil fertility conditions, respectively, and weed management (weedy check and regular weeding) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Garden egg (L01 variety) seedlings were transplanted at 40,000 plants/ha. Data on growth and yield were subjected to ANOVA, and significantly different means were separated using Duncan's Multiple Range Test at p<0.05. The results showed that applying 45 kg N/ha of PM significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, and canopy spread compared to the other treatments in the first and second seasons. Variations in the growth parameters observed were significant (p < 0.05) for weed control. Weeded plots had 1274.67 and 1359.98 cm² leaf area, while non-weeded plots had 862.89 and 905.16 during the first and second seasons, respectively. The combination of 45 kg N/ha and regular weeding resulted in the highest fruit yield (6502.47 and 6004.10 kg/ha) and the lowest in the control treatment (0.00 and 125.00 kg/ha) in the first and second seasons, respectively. Applying poultry manure at 45 kg N/ha, with regular weeding, is more effective for garden egg production.