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NAME: DUGBLEY, Philip Worlanyo

PROPOSED TOPIC: The effect poultry manure on the initial growth performance of
Milicia excelsa. (Odum)

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The growth of plants depends on the availability of nutrients from the soil. Thus, it is
important that the soil should potentially provide nutrients for the growth and development of
plants. Prolonged uptake of nutrients by growing plants depletes soil of vital nutrients,
adversely affecting the growth of plants. Organic manure can be added in order to
compensate for the loss due to leaching and uptake by existing plants from the soil (Addo,
1994).
Milicia excelsa formerly called Chlorophora excelsa belongs to the family Moraceae. The
tree is mostly found in West, Central and East Africa, extending from Guinea Bissau to
Mozambique. Milicia excelsa a durable wood used for the purposes of exterior and interior
joinery, frames and doors, luxury cabinet works and garden furniture, floorings, steps and
stairs, panelling and mouldings, decorative veneer and plywood, vehicle and truck bodies
(Oteng-Amoako, 2006).The high demand for the wood and its other products has resulted in
over exploitation. The species is now considered as a scarlet species; species that are
common but under more imminent threat, thus more than 200% exploitation by the Forestry
Department of Ghana and requires special permit for it to be harvested (The Ghana Forest
Service, 1998). To replenish the stocking of such valuable species, its plantations were
established. Unfortunately, this effort has been impeded mainly by the infestation of
phytolyma lata. Phytolyma attack is followed by dieback of attacked parts down to the woody
tissue. Seedlings are often attacked by gall bug phytolyma lata in the young shoots and more
in the terminal leaves and this affects the species growth performance (Irvine, 1961).
Addition of poultry manure to improve the nutrient status of the growth medium (soil) and to
minimize the occurrence of soil related plant diseases can enhance the general growth
performance of seedlings in the nursery. The introduction of the species into plantations
could have beneficial effect on the forest of Ghana, since there is high dependency on the
forest for timber products for subsistence or commercial purposes. However, for a plantation
program to yield maximum environmental and economic benefits, healthy and good seedlings
should be supplied inexpensively (Appiah, 1998).

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1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

1.3 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

Manuring can reduce the incidence of some plant diseases. Mathur and Sinha (1966) studied
the influence of manuring on seedling-rot, root-rot and wilt of guar and found that the
incidence in all the cases was considerably reduced in manured soil. The reduction in disease
incidence was attributed to the increased plant vigour resulting from the high nutritive status
of the manured soil.

1.4 EXPECTED OUTCOMES

It is anticipated that, at the end of study, the effect of poultry manure on the early growth and
survival rate of Milicia excelsa seedlings will be determined.

1.5 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

This study aims at determining the effect of organic manure on the early growth performance
and the survival rate of Milicia excelsa seedlings.

Specific objectives

1. To determine the effect of poultry manure on the vegetative growth (height and stem
diameter) of Milicia excelsa seedlings.
2. To determine the effect of poultry manure on the percentage survival of Milicia
excelsa seedlings.

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2. METHODOLOGY

2.1 Study area

The experiment will be conducted at the faculty of renewable natural resources

The area is characterized by a bimodal rainfall with major wet season between May and July.
This area experiences a short dry season in August and a long one between December and
March. The annual rainfall is between 1250mm-1500mm.

2.2 Materials and Methods

Poultry manure will be collected from the animal science department of the faculty of
agriculture (KNUST-Ayeduase). The nutrient content of the poultry manure would be
analysed at the faculty of renewable natural resources chemical laboratory. Milicia excelsa
seedlings would be collected from Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG), Kumasi.
Other tools and equipment that would be used include cutlass, hoe, watering can, rake, hand
fork, tape measure and electronic callipers for the preparation of planting site and
measurements.

The experimental design to be used is a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The
study will be carried out in three blocks with each block divided into 5 plots, and each plot
will have one treatment. The various treatments will randomly be allocated to the plots (Fig
1). A block of size 1.0m × 7.0m (7.0 m 2) each and plots with dimensions of 1.0m × 1.0m
(1.0m2) will be constructed (Fig 1). A space of 50 cm will be allowed between the blocks
and plots. A reference point of 1cm above the soil surface will be marked with non-
poisonous indelible ink to provide consistency at the point of the diameter and height
measurement. The total number of experimental plots will be fifteen. Poultry manure will be
applied at the rate of 17,500 kg/ha as recommended by Zublena et al. (1993). Rates of
poultry manure application will therefore be applied by the following calculation;

1 . 0 m2 X 17500 kg
2
10000 m2 (1 hectare) = 17500 kg1.0m2 (plot size) = 10000 m = 1.75 kg/plot ≈
1.80 kg/plot (average application).

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The treatments will be as follows:

T1=0.0kg as control

T2=0.90kg

T3=1.80kg

T4=2.70kg

T5=3.60kg

The experimental set up

BLOCK 1 BLOCK 2 BLOCK 3

Plot 1=T2 Plot 1=T2 Plot 1=T3

Plot 2=T4 Plot 2=T5 Plot 2=T2

Plot 3=T1 Plot 3=T4 Plot 3=T5

Plot 4=T5 Plot 4=T1 Plot 4=T4

Plot 5=T3 Plot 5=T3 Plot 5=T1

Figure 1. Experimental layout with the allocated treatments.

2.3 Sampling and data collection

Five Milicia excelsa seedlings will be planted on each plot in the blocks. Initial seedling
height and diameter will be recorded two days after transplanting. Subsequent readings will
be taken every fortnight. The survival rate will also be recorded. Seventy- five seedlings will
be used for the experiment.

2.4 Data processing and Analysis:

All data collected will be subject to the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The Least
Significance Difference (LSD) method will be use to separate treatment means that differ
significantly. The results will be represented using graphs and tables.

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REFERENCES

1. Addo, K.W. 1994. Growth response of Albizia zygia seedlings to fertilizer

2. Appiah, S.K., (1998). Meeting the demands for Wood Products in Domestication
and International Market. Proceedings of 20th Ghana Science Association Biennial
Conference. Kumasi. Pp. 55-56

3. Ghana Forest Service, 1998. A logging manual for Ghana, Guidance to compliance
to companies operating Timber Utilization Contracts in the high forest of Ghana.
26pp.
4. Mathur, S.B, and Sinha, S., 1966. Role of manuring in control of root-rot of
Cyamopsis psoralioides and wilt of Cicer arietinum, (MYCOPATHOLOGIA) Vol.40,
No.2 pp155-159.

5. Irvine, F.R., 1961. Woody Plants of Ghana, Oxford University Press, London. Pp
427.
6. Oteng-Amoako, A.A, 2006. Tropical African Timber Trees from Ghana, G-Pak
press, Accra-Ghana.

7. Zublena, J.P., Barker, J.C. and Carter, T.A. 1993. Poultry manure as a fertilizer
source. North Carolina Cooperation Extension Service. Soil Facts. Rayleigh, N.C.