TITLE:
Effects of Green Manure and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in the Mount Cameroon Region
AUTHORS:
Enow Andrew Egbe, Nkeutcha Marietta Solange Soupi, Miranda Egbe Awo, George Ayamba Besong
KEYWORDS:
Green Manure, Inorganic Fertilizer, Flowering Period, Pod Formation, Yield, Soybeans
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.13 No.5,
May
31,
2022
ABSTRACT: This study evaluates the effects of green manure, inorganic
fertilizers and their combinations on the growth and yield of soybeans in the Mount
Cameroon Region. The experiment involved 10 treatments which include, 5 Mg/ha green manure, 180 Kg P/ha triple superphosphate fertilizer (P), 180 Kg/ha NPK (20:10:10), 2 Mg/ha green manure + 90 kg P/ha,
3 Mg/ha green manure + 90 kg P/ha, 5 Mg/ha green manure + 90 Kg P, 2 Mg/ha green manure + 90 kg NPK/ha, 3 Mg/ha green manure
+ 90 kg NPK/ha,
5 Mg/ha green manure + 90 kg NPK and
a control. Plant growth characters were assessed every 14 days for a period of 70 days for the late (August) and
early (March) planting seasons. The results indicated that plants supplied with 5 Mg/ha green manure had the highest plant heights of 60.7 cm, and this was significantly different from the
control which had the least height (52.76 cm). Stem collar diameter was significantly
(p 0.001) increased with treatments
in both seasons. Plants supplied with 5 Mg/ha green manure recorded the highest stover yield (10.59 Mg/ha), and this was significantly different from
the control which had the least (6.64 Mg/ha). Plants supplied with 5 Mg/ha green
manure had the highest days to flowering
(38 days), while plants supplied with 5 Mg/ha green manure + 90 Kg NPK had the least (33 days) which was significantly different (p 0.01). The highest number of pods per plant was observed in plants supplied with
5 Mg/ha green manure (57 pods per plants), which was significantly
different from the control (39 pods per plant). Plants supplied with 5 Mg/ha green manure + 90 Kg NPK recorded the highest grain yield (4.97 Mg ha-1), while the lowest grain yield
was observed in the control (2.22 Mg ha-1). Results
from this study can be used by soybeans farmers in the Mount Cameroon region to
enhance productivity of this crop and thereby improving their living standards and
food security in Cameroon.