Abstract:
The use of fermented plant extracts (FPE) as a top dress in crop production is a natural process
that can provide plant nutrients and suppress diseases. However, there is scanty information on
the use of plant extracts and the bulky of it is not documented. This study aimed at determining
the effectiveness of fermentation in extracting plant nutrients from plant tissues for use as top
dress in crop production. Materials from Lantana (Lantana camara, L), stinging nettle (Urtica
dioica L) and Tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia, G), common plants that are locally available in
most agricultural areas were investigated. A complete randomized design (CRD) was used to set
up the experiments in the laboratory. Tender shoots and leaves of these plants were fermented in
water and the levels of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK) contained were measured at
intervals of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days. The concentration of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) yeasts
and the pH were also determined at each interval. Standard foliar feeds (Agro-Feed and Power
Booster) commonly used by farmers were used as control. The results demonstrated that Lantana
and stinging nettle were not significantly different in the percentage of N released. Phosphorous
was highest in stinging nettle at 5.26%, Tithonia had 5.12% while Lantana had the lowest at
4.48%. However, potassium was highest in Tithonia at 4.38%, stinging nettle had 3.64%, while
Lantana had the lowest at 3.63%. There were also high significant differences in concentration of
lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Yeast and pH at p<0.05. The findings of the study showed that
nutrients can be extracted from plant materials by fermentation although in less quantities as
compared to commercial foliar feeds. |
