Influence of Indigenous Microorganisms Fertilizer on the Growth Performance of Huckleberry (Solanum Scabrum) in Mile 3, Nkwen Bamenda

Abstract

Solanum scabrum (huckleberry) is widely used as a leafy vegetable, mostly cultivated using chemical fertilizers and pesticides which temporarily boost up productivity, but has a long term negative effect on the environment and human health. The main objective of this study was to find out whether farmers can boost productivity of S. scabrum with the use of indigenous microorganisms (IMO) fertilizer. This research was carried out in Mile 3 Nkwen Bamenda. A randomized block design was used with three treatments (IMO, urea and control) and four replications. The different parameters measured were the number leaves, plant height, number of branches, stem girth and fresh weight of plants. One of the four blocks was shaded to study the influence of IMO on the soil moisture content. Results showed that plants treated with IMO had the highest number of leaves (24.85 ± 2.25) while control plants had the lowest (19.15 ± 2.681) which was not significantly different (p<0.05) from that of urea (19.75 ± 4.363). The maximum plant height was recorded in plants treated with IMO (75.35 ± 15.816 cm) which was significantly different (p>0.05) from that of plants treated with urea (19.75 ± 5.809 cm) and control (24.68±6.742 cm). The highest plant weight was recorded in plants treated with IMO (1.2425 ± 0.59528 kg) and the lowest was plants of the control (0.1125 ± 0.12659 kg) which was not significantly different (p>0.05) from that of plants treated with urea (0.1175 ± 0.12093 kg). Significant and positive correlations were observed among growth parameters but insignificant between growth and yield parameters. IMO had the highest soil moisture content (Nor (10 to 20%)) while urea and control had the lowest (dry+ (˂ 5% moisture level)). This study showed that IMO is a good fertilizer to increase the productivity of S. scabrum.