Residual Effect of Goat and Poultry Manures on Soil Properties Nutrient Content and Yield of Amanranthus in Southwest Nigeria

The residual effect of goat manure (GM) and Poultry Manure (PM) applied at 0, 5, 10 and 15 t ha 1 to pepper was investigated 1 year after application in Akure, Southwest Nigeria. Amaranthus was used as test crop. The effect on some soil physical and chemical properties and leaf nutrient content, growth and yield of amanranthus was studied. The manures reduced soil bulk density, temperature and increased moisture content significantly (p>0.05). The soil bulk density reduced and moisture content increased with level of manure. Manured soil had higher values of soil organic matter, N (PM only), P, K, Ca and Mg than untreated soil and soil P increased with level of manure. The effect of GM on soil N was not significant. As opposed to PM, GM applications increased significantly leaf N, P, K, Ca and Mg and marketable yield of amaranthus. The increases given by 5, 10 and 15 t ha 1 GM were 12, 39 and 47%, respectively. The effect of 10 and 15 t ha 1 GM on yield was similar.