An Assessment of Jatropha Curcas Seed Cake as an Organic Fertilizer

An Assessment of Jatropha Curcas Seed Cake as an Organic Fertilizer

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Reference ID: PS-15471-TM

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An Assessment of Jatropha Curcas Seed Cake as an Organic Fertilizer

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRELIMINARY PAGES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Introduction
  • 1.2 Background of Study
  • 1.3 Statement of Problems
  • 1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
  • 1.5 Research Questions
  • 1.6 Significance of Study
  • 1.7 Scope of Study
  • 1.8 Limitations of the Study
  • 1.9 Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

  • 2.1 Introduction
  • 2.2 Conceptual Review of Jatropha Curcas Seed Cake
  • 2.3 Nutrients of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer
  • 2.3.1 Organic Fertilizer Nutrients
  • 2.3.2 Inorganic Fertilizer Nutrients
  • 2.4 Concept of Organic Fertilizer
  • 2.5 Overview of Manure
  • 2.6 History of Manure
  • 2.7 Types of Manure

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 Study Area
  • 3.3 Research Design
  • 3.4 Population of Study
  • 3.5 Treatments, Experimental Plot Size and Layout
  • 3.6 Preparation of Samples
  • 3.7 Growth, Yield and Yield Components Data
  • 3.8 Data Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 Results
  • 4.3 Analysis of Research Questions
  • 4.4 Discussion of Findings

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

  • 5.1 Introduction
  • 5.2 Summary of Findings
  • 5.3 Conclusion
  • 5.4 Recommendation

REFERENCES

ABSTRACT

Jatropha curcas seed cake is a useful organic byproduct containing considerable amounts of nitrogen, phosphrous, potassium and micronutrients. The study was carried out to determine the Jatropha Curcas Seed Cake as an Organic Fertilizer. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to determine the characteristics of Jatropha seed cake in terms of Nitrogen(N), Phosphorus(P) and Potassium(K) and examine the effect of Jatropha seed cake and organic fertilizer on maize crop growth rate and plant biomass. Investigation revealed that modern agriculture faces to new challenges and problems. One of the greatest threats is depletion in soil fertility. The inherent soil fertility decreases with an increase in soil cropping; especially when the essential nutrients taken up by crops are not replenished. The field experiment was laid in a 3 × 3 design with 3 levels of Jatropha (0, 92 and 184 kg N/ha corresponding to 0, 2875 and 5750 kg DM of Jatropha seed cake, respectively) and 3 levels of inorganic fertilizer (0, 23 and 46 kg N/ha). Field results showed that maize yields responded to the amount of Jatropha seed cake while inorganic fertilizer rate and the combination of Jatropha seed cake and inorganic fertilizer (at the same level of Jatropha seed cake) did not affect the grain yield of maize. The best performer in terms of grain yield was a treatment combination of 5750 kg/ha of Jatropha seed cake and 23 kg N/ha of inorganic fertilizer which produced a grain yield of 2483 kg/ha. However, this was comparable to 2331 kg/ha produced by the combination of 2785 kg/ha of Jatropha seed cake and 46 kg N/ha of inorganic fertilizer. The grain yield of sole Jatropha 5750 kg/ha was 2126 kg/ha. The grain yield of full rate of inorganic fertilizer (23:21:0+4S + urea) application was 2853 kg/ha. It can be concluded from this study that sole application of Jatropha seed cake has a potential of producing grain yield comparable to full rate inorganic fertlizer application.

An Assessment of Jatropha Curcas Seed Cake as an Organic Fertilizer

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction

Jatropha curcas seed cake (J.S.C.) is a useful organic byproduct containing considerable amounts of nitrogen, phosphrous, potassium and micronutrients. It can be considered as a green economy soil amendment. Jatropha curcas seed cake was used as an attempt to enhance soil health and to sustain soil productivity. Jatropha curcas is a multipurpose tree, which has a potential as an alternative source for biodiesel. All of its parts can be used for human food, animal feed, fertilizer, fuel and traditional medicine (Donlaporn and Worapot. 2011).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

This chapter focuses on the review of related literature. A literature review includes the current knowledge as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic. It documents the state of the art with respect to the topic you are writing. It surveys the literature in the topic selected. In this research work the literature review includes the …

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