Effects of Time and Method of Pig Manure Application on Growth ...

PAT June 2011; 7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213
Online copy available at
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Publication <strong>of</strong> Nasarawa State University, Keffi
<strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> on Growth Parameters
<strong>and</strong> Yield <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus Cruentus In A Rainforest Ultisol In Nigeria.
O. B. Iren 1 *, D. O. Asawalam 2 <strong>and</strong> V. E. Osodeke 2
1 Department <strong>of</strong> Soil Science, University <strong>of</strong> Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
2 Department <strong>of</strong> Soil Science <strong>and</strong> Meteorology, Michael Okpara University <strong>of</strong> Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state,
Nigeria
*e-mail: myirenlady @ gmail.com
Abstract
The study was designed to determine the effects <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> pig manure application
on growth parameters <strong>and</strong> yield <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus. The experiment design was a split-plot laid
out in a r<strong>and</strong>omized complete block design with three replications. The main-plot treatments
were made up <strong>of</strong> 4 methods <strong>of</strong> fertilizer application (b<strong>and</strong>ing without incorporation, b<strong>and</strong>ing
with incorporation, broadcasting without incorporation, broadcasting with incorporation),
while the sub-plot treatments were made up <strong>of</strong> 5 different times <strong>of</strong> manure application (two
weeks before planting (2WBP), one week before planting (1WBP), at planting (AP), one week
after planting (1WAP), <strong>and</strong> two weeks after planting (2WAP). There were 20 treatment
combinations consisting <strong>of</strong> all the possible combination <strong>of</strong> 4 methods <strong>of</strong> application at 5
different times <strong>of</strong> application. Results indicated that pig manure application at one week
before planting, using the broadcast with incorporation method produced the tallest (61.6 cm)
plants <strong>and</strong> highest number <strong>of</strong> leaves per Amaranthus plant. The fresh <strong>and</strong> dry matter yields
were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by the one week before planting time than the other
times <strong>of</strong> application. <strong>Manure</strong> application, one week before planting gave the highest fresh
yield <strong>of</strong> 49.08 t/ha <strong>and</strong> the highest dry matter yield <strong>of</strong> 5.95 t/ha. Therefore, the best time <strong>of</strong>
application <strong>of</strong> pig manure was one week before planting using the broadcast with
incorporation method.
Keywords: Amaranthus, pig manure, time <strong>of</strong> application, method <strong>of</strong> application, broadcast,
<strong>and</strong> b<strong>and</strong> placement
Introduction
The economic situation in the world now is such that every effort must be made
to identify cheap <strong>and</strong> locally available sources <strong>of</strong> plant nutrients. Amaranthus is a leafy
vegetable that has a high nutritional value because <strong>of</strong> the high levels <strong>of</strong> essential micronutrients
like iron (an important element against anaemia), manganese <strong>and</strong> zinc
(Mnkeni et al., 2007). It contains calcium, magnesium, carotene <strong>and</strong> niacin. Vitamin A
<strong>and</strong> C are also present in significant levels. One hundred grammes <strong>of</strong> the vegetable
material cooked without oil can contribute 45 % <strong>of</strong> daily vitamin A requirement
(Mnkeni et al., 2007). It is especially rich in lysine, an essential amino acid that is
lacking in diets based on cereals <strong>and</strong> tubers. The protein found in young plants <strong>of</strong>
Amaranths can be important for people without access to meat or other sources <strong>of</strong>
protein.

PAT 2011;7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213; Iren et al.,, <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> .. 104
Generally, fertile, deep, friable, well-drained soil is one <strong>of</strong> the first essentials for
a successful Amaranthus cultivation. The exact type <strong>of</strong> soil is not so important provided
it is well drained, adequately supplied with organic matter, retentive <strong>of</strong> moisture <strong>and</strong>
reasonably free <strong>of</strong> pests or problematic soil micro-organisms (Uzo, 1989). However,
arable soils <strong>of</strong> the tropics get degraded quickly in physical, chemical <strong>and</strong> biological
qualities as a result <strong>of</strong> continuous cropping. Continuous cropping with persistent use <strong>of</strong>
inorganic fertilizers increased soil acidity <strong>and</strong> physical degradation while crop yield
may fall. Currently, farmers <strong>and</strong> scientists are showing renewed interest in proper <strong>and</strong>
effective use <strong>of</strong> organic manure as a means <strong>of</strong> wastes disposal <strong>and</strong> to maintain soil
fertility. Organic manure application improves the nutrient status <strong>of</strong> soils, increases the
level <strong>of</strong> organic matter in the soil <strong>and</strong> gives high residual effects on soil fertility. The
role played by organic manure in soil fertility maintenance notwithst<strong>and</strong>ing, the
increasing awareness by consumers in western <strong>and</strong> tropical countries on illnesses such
as diabetics, hypertension, cancer <strong>and</strong> obesity associated with consumption <strong>of</strong> food
produced with chemical fertilizers, has shifted their focus to safe eating habits by
consuming food crops produced with organic fertilizers (Moyin-Jesu, 2007). This
confirms the assertion made by Hodges (1982), that the acceptance <strong>of</strong> a crop can be
influenced by the type <strong>and</strong> source <strong>of</strong> nutrients used in its production. Generally, in
developed countries, a kilogram <strong>of</strong> vegetable produced using organic fertilizer attracts
higher prices than the same quantity produced using inorganic fertilizers because it is
believed that the former is devoid <strong>of</strong> synthetic chemicals.
The nitrogen in organic matter occurs largely in the form <strong>of</strong> protein nitrogen.
Hence it must be changed into the ammonium or nitrate form by the process <strong>of</strong>
decomposition. Various experiments (T<strong>and</strong>on, 1991; Schippers, 2000; Odiete et al.,
1999) have shown that well-decomposed (fermented) manure <strong>of</strong> whatever type is the
best for Amaranth cultivation but the best time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> its application are not
known to have been reported. The current study was therefore carried out in order to
examine <strong>and</strong> determine the best time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> pig manure application for
Amaranthus production.
Materials <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong>s
Field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm <strong>of</strong> Michael Okpara
University <strong>of</strong> Agriculture, Umudike to examine <strong>and</strong> determine the best time <strong>and</strong> method
<strong>of</strong> pig manure application for Amaranthus production for two years. Umudike is located
in the humid Rainforest zone <strong>of</strong> Nigeria <strong>and</strong> lies within latitude 05 0 29’ N <strong>and</strong> longitude
07 0 33’ E, with an altitude <strong>of</strong> 122 m above sea level. Annual rainfall in Umudike ranges
from 1900 mm to 2200 mm, bimodally distributed with peaks in July <strong>and</strong> September.
The relative humidity, minimum <strong>and</strong> maximum temperatures ranged from 54-87 %, 19 -

PAT 2011;7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213; Iren et al.,, <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> .. 105
24 0 C <strong>and</strong> 28 - 34 0 C respectively. The soil is loamy s<strong>and</strong> in texture <strong>and</strong> classified as an
Ultisol (USDA, 1999).
<strong>Pig</strong> manure used for the study was collected from the animal farm unit <strong>of</strong>
Michael Okpara University <strong>of</strong> Agriculture, Umudike. This manure was sun-dried for 10
days to hinder decomposition, <strong>and</strong> then stored in bags under dry conditions as
performed by Ikpe (2003). After sun-drying, the pig manure was thoroughly mixed
together <strong>and</strong> the sub-sample taken to the laboratory for analysis. The sample was
analyzed for total N, total P, total K, organic carbon, organic matter, C: N ratio, Ca <strong>and</strong>
Mg following st<strong>and</strong>ard procedures (Juo, 1979). The results <strong>of</strong> these analyses gave 2.87
% N, 0.21 % P, 1.80 % K, 30.29 % O.C., 52.22 % O. M., 10.55 C:N ratio, 4.0 % Ca <strong>and</strong>
1.8 % Mg. <strong>Pig</strong> manure at the rate <strong>of</strong> 90 kg N/ha was used for Amaranthus production.
The Amaranthus seeds used were obtained from the National Root Crops Research
Institute (NRCRI), Umudike.
The l<strong>and</strong> was mechanically slashed, ploughed <strong>and</strong> harrowed. Flat beds
(NIHORT, 1983) measuring 3 m x 1.5 m were manually made using spade. An alley <strong>of</strong>
1.2 m was left between blocks <strong>and</strong> 0.6 m between plots. The experiment design was a
split-plot laid out in a r<strong>and</strong>omized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates.
There were 20 treatment combinations consisting <strong>of</strong> all the possible combination <strong>of</strong> 4
methods <strong>of</strong> application at 5 different times <strong>of</strong> application <strong>of</strong> the pig manure. The mainplot
treatments were made up <strong>of</strong> 4 methods <strong>of</strong> fertilizer application (b<strong>and</strong>ing without
incorporation, b<strong>and</strong>ing with incorporation, broadcasting without incorporation,
broadcasting with incorporation), while the sub-plot treatments were made up <strong>of</strong> 5
different times <strong>of</strong> manure application (two weeks before planting (2WBP), one week
before planting (1WBP), at planting (AP), one week after planting (1WAP), two weeks
after planting (2WAP)). Each treatment was replicated 3 times giving a total <strong>of</strong> 60 plots.
Treatments were r<strong>and</strong>omly assigned to the plots in each block using the Table for
R<strong>and</strong>om Numbers (Wahua, 1999).
Amaranthus seeds were mixed with dried river s<strong>and</strong> first before sowing so as to
ensure that the seeds were not planted too close together to ensure proper management
<strong>of</strong> the seed rate desired. The mixture was about 70 % s<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> 30 % Amaranthus seeds.
These were evenly distributed directly on drills at a distance <strong>of</strong> 10 cm between each
row. Direct seeding <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus is not interrupted by transplanting shock which
temporarily affects the physiological <strong>and</strong> biochemical processes <strong>of</strong> the plants
(Messiaen, 1992).The plots were watered before planting <strong>and</strong> immediately after
planting to ensure <strong>and</strong> enhance sprouting.
Sprouting occurs 3-4 days after planting. The seedlings were later thinned down
to one plant per st<strong>and</strong> few days after emergence at a spacing <strong>of</strong> 10 cm between plants.
The optimal spacing for plants to be harvested by uprooting is 10 cm x 10 cm
(Schippers, 2000; Ayuba et al., 2001).Therefore, the planting distance <strong>of</strong> 10 cm x 10 cm

PAT 2011;7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213; Iren et al.,, <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> .. 106
gives a plant population <strong>of</strong> 450 plants per bed (450/4.5 m 2 ) <strong>and</strong> 1,000,000 plants per
hectare. The plots were kept weed free throughout the cropping period by h<strong>and</strong> pulling
because <strong>of</strong> the closeness <strong>of</strong> the plants. Watering was done 2 times a day (morning <strong>and</strong>
evening) at the initial stage <strong>of</strong> development, <strong>and</strong> later reduced to once (evening only)
every day, due to good canopy development that shaded the ground <strong>and</strong> reduced soil
moisture loss.
Ten plants in each plot were r<strong>and</strong>omly selected <strong>and</strong> tagged. From the tagged
plant in each treatment plot, plant height, number <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant, fresh yield <strong>and</strong> dry
matter yield were measured. Plant height was measured with a meter rule as the height
from the base <strong>of</strong> the crop (ground level) to the tip <strong>of</strong> the plant, while the number <strong>of</strong>
leaves was taken to be the fully opened leaves per plant. These measurements
commenced 3 weeks after planting <strong>and</strong> continued at weekly interval until the end <strong>of</strong> the
experiment. Harvesting was done at 5 weeks after planting (5 WAP) by uprooting the
entire plant from an area <strong>of</strong> 100 cm x 100 cm at the centre <strong>of</strong> each plot. Fresh yield data
was taken at the time <strong>of</strong> harvest, where the weight <strong>of</strong> the uprooted plants were
determined plot by plot after rinsing the roots free <strong>of</strong> s<strong>and</strong>. For dry matter
determination, the ten tagged plants from each treatment plot were uprooted, rinsed, <strong>and</strong>
oven-dried at 65 0 C to constant weight (Maerere et al., 2001) <strong>and</strong> the weight
determined.
The data were subjected to analysis <strong>of</strong> variance (ANOVA) using the general
linear models (GLM) procedures <strong>of</strong> the Statistical Analysis Systems programme (SAS,
1989) to determine treatment effects. Treatment means, where significant, were
separated using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (FLSD) at 0.05 probability level
(Wahua, 1999).
Results <strong>and</strong> discussion
Effect <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> pig manure application on Amaranthus height
The time <strong>of</strong> manure application independently affected Amaranthus height in
both years (Table 1) with the one week before planting (1WBP) time producing the
tallest plant at all stages <strong>of</strong> measurements (3 WAP, 4 WAP, 5 WAP), followed by the at
planting (AP) time <strong>of</strong> manure application, while the shortest plant was obtained from
the two weeks after planting (2 WAP) time <strong>of</strong> application. From the overall effect <strong>of</strong>
time <strong>of</strong> manure application on plant height in both years (Table 2), the highest plant
height <strong>of</strong> 17.79 cm at the growth stage <strong>of</strong> 3 WAP was obtained from the 1 WBP time <strong>of</strong>
application but it was not significantly different from the other times <strong>of</strong> application
except the 2 WAP time <strong>of</strong> manure application which had a mean height value <strong>of</strong> 14.10
cm. At the growth stage <strong>of</strong> 4 WAP, the tallest plant <strong>of</strong> 37.79 cm obtained with the
1WBP time <strong>of</strong> application was significantly (P< 0.05) higher than the heights obtained
from the other times <strong>of</strong> manure application except the AP time <strong>of</strong> application.The height

PAT 2011;7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213; Iren et al.,, <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> .. 107
<strong>of</strong> 61.60 cm obtained with the 1 WBP time when the plants were 5 weeks old was
significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the heights obtained from the other times <strong>of</strong> manure
application.
On the average, there were significant time x method interactions on plant
height at 3 <strong>and</strong> 4 WAP in both years (Tables 3 <strong>and</strong> 4).The tallest plants <strong>of</strong> 20.13 cm <strong>and</strong>
43.47 cm were obtained with the 1 WBP time using the broadcast with incorporation
method <strong>of</strong> application at the 3 <strong>and</strong> 4 WAP stages <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus growth respectively..
There was a significant interaction between time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> organic manure
application on plant height at 5 WAP in the first year cropping (Figure 1), with the one
week before planting (1 WBP) time using broadcasting with incorporation method
producing the tallest plants (76.13 cm) while the one week after planting (1 WAP) time
using broadcasting with incorporation method had the shortest plants (47.80 cm). The
broadcasting with incorporation method <strong>of</strong> application significantly increased plant
height more than the b<strong>and</strong> placement with or without incorporation methods when the
manure was applied one week before planting.
Table 5 shows the interactive effects <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> pig manure
application on Amaranthus height at 5 WAP in both years. The tallest plant <strong>of</strong> 71.03 cm
was also obtained from the 1 WBP time <strong>of</strong> manure application using the broadcast with
incorporation method. These interactions between time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> manure
application suggest variations in the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> the time <strong>of</strong> manure application
using different methods <strong>of</strong> application. this result <strong>of</strong> getting the tallest plants with the 1
WBP time using the broadcast with incorporation method at all stages <strong>of</strong> growth agrees
with the observation by Eghball et al. (2002), that pig manure when incorporated into
the soil, its nitrogen content is immediately available to plants since a great portion <strong>of</strong>
total N (> 70 %) in the pig manure is ammonium. This means that pig manure
mineralized fast <strong>and</strong> releases its nutrients within one week <strong>of</strong> its application <strong>and</strong> the
incorporated method <strong>of</strong> its application reduced the volatilization <strong>of</strong> the mineralized N.
Effect <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> pig manure application on number <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus
leaves per plant
Average <strong>of</strong> two years data showed that differences in number <strong>of</strong> leaves were
significant (p < 0.5) at 5WAP growth stage (Table 6. The broadcast with incorporation
method significantly increased the number <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus leaves per plant more than
the b<strong>and</strong> placement with or without incorporation. The 34.41 number <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant
obtained from the broadcast with incorporation method was not significantly different
from the 33.99 number <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant obtained from the broadcast without
incorporation method. This shows that pig manure can be applied using the broadcast
with or without incorporation method to obtain more number <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus leaves per
plant.

PAT 2011;7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213; Iren et al.,, <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> .. 108
The time <strong>of</strong> manure application significantly influenced the number <strong>of</strong> leaves
per Amaranthus plant at all stages <strong>of</strong> growth (Table 7). However, the average <strong>of</strong> the two
years (Table 8) showed that the AP time <strong>of</strong> manure application enhanced greater
number <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant at all stages <strong>of</strong> growth though not significantly greater than
the 1 WBP time <strong>of</strong> manure application.
There was a significant time x method <strong>of</strong> application on the number <strong>of</strong>
Amaranthus leaves per plant at 3 WAP with the 1 WBP time using the broadcast with
incorporation method having the highest number <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant (Table 9). There
was significant time x method <strong>of</strong> application on the number <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus leaves per
plant at 4 WAP (Figure 2) <strong>and</strong> 5 WAP (Figure 3) in both years. However, from the
overall effect <strong>of</strong> time x method interaction at 4 WAP in both years, the highest number
<strong>of</strong> 23.50 was obtained from the AP time using the b<strong>and</strong> placement without
incorporation method <strong>of</strong> application (Table 10) while at 5 WAP growth stage, the
highest average number <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant <strong>of</strong> 36.43 (Table 11) was obtained from the 1
WBP time using the broadcast with incorporation method. Generally, the 1 WBP time
<strong>of</strong> manure application using the broadcast with incorporation method would be the best
for Amaranthus production in the Umudike environment as this would minimize
nitrogen losses due to volatilization <strong>and</strong> also enhanced the sustainability <strong>of</strong> the crop.
Effect <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> pig manure application on fresh <strong>and</strong> dry matter
yields <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus
The method <strong>of</strong> pig manure application on the fresh <strong>and</strong> dry matter yield <strong>of</strong>
Amaranthus in both years did not produce significant (P >0.05) differences. The fresh
<strong>and</strong> dry matter yield <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus in both years were significantly (P

PAT 2011;7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213; Iren et al.,, <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> .. 109
incorporation method produced the tallest plants at all stages <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus growth.
Highest number <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant was produced with the AP time <strong>of</strong> manure
application using the b<strong>and</strong> placement method when the plant was 4 weeks old (23.50)
but at 5 WAP growth stage, the highest number <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant was obtained from
the 1 WBP time using the broadcast with incorporation method <strong>of</strong> application (36.43).
The fresh <strong>and</strong> dry matter yields <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus were significantly increased by
the 1 WBP time than the other times <strong>of</strong> manure application except the AP time <strong>of</strong>
manure application. The highest fresh yield <strong>of</strong> 49.08 t/ha <strong>and</strong> the highest dry matter
yield <strong>of</strong> 5.95 t/ha were obtained with the 1 WBP time <strong>of</strong> manure application. Given this
superior responses, pig manure or any other animal manure could be applied one week
before planting using broadcast with incorporation method particularly for annual crops
with short growth cycle such as Amaranthus. Nevertheless, results <strong>of</strong> this study should
be confirmed under different field conditions <strong>and</strong> for longer experimental duration.
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Table 1: <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> time <strong>of</strong> manure application on Amaranthus height in the first <strong>and</strong>
second cropping seasons
<strong>Time</strong> <strong>of</strong>
First cropping season (2005) Second cropping season (2006)
manure application Plant height cm)
Plant height (cm)
3 WAP 4 WAP 5WAP 3 WAP 4WAP 5WAP
2WBP 19.63 40.17 60.68 5.32 32.97 53.02
1WBP 21.53 45.01 65.80 18.13 38.57 57.40
AP 21.47 40.13 61.57 18.03 34.33 53.45
1WAP 18.97 35.90 54.58 15.22 32.57 50.83
2WAP 16.42 37.30 55.95 12.78 28.01 48.72
LSD (0.05) 2.22 4.03 4.32 2.08 3.90 5.32
1WBP = one week before planting 1WAP = one week after planting ; AP = at planting
2WBP = two weeks before planting 2WAP = two weeks after planting

PAT 2011;7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213; Iren et al.,, <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> .. 111
Table 2: <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> time <strong>of</strong> manure application on Amaranthus height averaged across
both years
<strong>Time</strong> <strong>of</strong> manure
Plant height (cm)
application
3WAP 4WAP 5WAP
2WBP 16.42 34.68 56.85
1WBP 17.79 37.79 61.60
AP 17.75 35.53 57.51
1WAP 16.14 33.23 55.21
2WAP 14.10 33.13 52.33
LSD (0.05) 1.63 2.62 3.58
-
Table 3: Interactive effects <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> manure application on Amaranthus
height at 3 WAP in both years
<strong>Time</strong> method
<strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> manure application
<strong>of</strong>
<strong>Manure</strong>
B<strong>and</strong> B<strong>and</strong>inc Bcastinc Broad Means
2WBP 15.30 18.40 15.07 16.93 16.42
1WBP 16.83 17.60 20.13 16.37 17.73
AP 16.77 16.17 19.17 18.90 17.75
1WAP 16.63 15.67 15.07 17.20 16.14
2WAP 16.07 12.50 14.93 12.90 14.10
Means 16.32 16.07 16.87 16.46
LSD (0.05) <strong>Method</strong> = 2.49 LSD (0.05) <strong>Time</strong> = 1.63 LSD (0.05) M x T = 3.59
Table 4: Interactive effects <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> manure application on Amaranthus
height at 4 WAP in both years
<strong>Time</strong> method
<strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> manure application
<strong>of</strong>
<strong>Manure</strong> B<strong>and</strong> B<strong>and</strong>inc Bcastinc Broad Means
2WBP 33.23 36.60 33.80 35.10 34.68
1WBP 34.55 35.00 43.47 38.13 37.79
AP 35.30 33.93 38.23 34.67 35.53
1WAP 33.67 32.87 32.30 34.10 33.23
2WAP 37.30 32.10 31.67 31.47 33.13
Means 34.81 34.10 35.89 34.69
LSD (0.05) <strong>Method</strong> = 3.79 LSD (0.05) <strong>Time</strong> = 2.62 LSD (0.05) M x T = 5.65

PAT 2011;7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213; Iren et al.,, <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> .. 112
Table 5: Interactive effects <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> manure application on Amaranthus
height at 5 WAP in both years
<strong>Time</strong> method
<strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> manure application
<strong>of</strong>
manure B<strong>and</strong> B<strong>and</strong>inc Bcastinc Broad Means
2WBP 55.90 59.40 56.10 56.00 56.85
1WBP 56.63 58.53 71.03 60.20 61.60
AP 60.13 56.50 58.77 54.63 57.51
1WAP 56.60 54.60 51.50 58.13 55.21
2WAP 57.40 52.20 53.70 52.03 52.33
Means 56.13 56.25 58.22 56.20
LSD (0.05) <strong>Method</strong> = 4.16 LSD (0.05) <strong>Time</strong> = 3.58 LSD (0.05) M x T = 7.25
Table 6: Effect <strong>of</strong> method <strong>of</strong> pig manure application on number <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant in
both years
<strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong>
No. <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant
manure
application
3WAP 4WAP 5WAP
B<strong>and</strong> 12.98 22.63 33.12
B<strong>and</strong>inc 12.94 22.61 33.39
Bcastinc 13.25 22.90 34.41
Broad 13.07 22.59 33.99
LSD (0.05) NS NS 0.68
Table 7: <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> time <strong>of</strong> manure application on number <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant height in
the first <strong>and</strong> second cropping seasons
First cropping season (2005) Second cropping season (2006)
<strong>Time</strong> <strong>of</strong>
No. <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant
No. <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant
manure application
3 WAP 4 WAP 5WAP 3 WAP 4WAP 5WAP
2WBP 13.27 22.18 33.68 13.38 22.78 34.05
1WBP 13.32 22.47 35.32 13.40 23.07 33.62
AP 13.18 22.87 34.86 13.70 23.32 34.37
1WAP 12.67 22.12 32.09 12.38 23.60 33.80
2WAP 12.57 22.22 32.64 12.72 22.23 32.85
LSD (0.05) 0.35 0.46 0.81 0.40 0.29 0.42
1WBP = one week before planting ; 1WAP = one week after planting ; AP = at planting
2WBP = two weeks before planting 2WAP = two weeks after planting

PAT 2011;7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213; Iren et al.,, <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> .. 113
Table 8: <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> time <strong>of</strong> manure application on number <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant in both
years
No. <strong>of</strong> leaves per plant
<strong>Time</strong> <strong>of</strong> manure
application
3WAP 4WAP 5WAP
2WBP 12.83 22.48 33.86
1WBP 13.26 22.77 34.47
AP 13.44 23.09 34.61
1WAP 13.03 22.85 32.95
2WAP 12.74 22.23 32.75
LSD (0.05) 0.29 0.27 0.49
Table 9: Interactive effects <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> manure application on number <strong>of</strong>
leaves per plant at 3 WAP in both years
<strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> manure application
<strong>Time</strong> method <strong>of</strong>
<strong>Manure</strong> B<strong>and</strong> B<strong>and</strong>inc Bcastinc Broad Means
2WBP 12.57 12.80 12.93 13.00 12.83
1WBP 13.00 13.00 13.93 13.10 13.26
AP 13.63 13.43 13.30 13.40 13.44
1WAP 12.63 12.80 13.20 13.47 13.03
2WAP 13.07 12.67 12.87 12.37 12.74
Means 12.98 12.94 13.25 13.07
LSD (0.05) <strong>Method</strong> = 0.37 LSD (0.05) <strong>Time</strong> = 0.29 LSD (0.05) M x T = 0.60
Table 10: Interactive effects <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> manure application on number <strong>of</strong>
leaves per plant at 4 WAP in both years
<strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> manure application
<strong>Time</strong> method
<strong>of</strong>
B<strong>and</strong> B<strong>and</strong>inc Bcastinc Broad Means
<strong>Manure</strong>
2WBP 22.40 22.70 22.43 22.40 22.48
1WBP 22.27 22.83 23.20 22.77 22.77
AP 23.50 22.90 23.13 22.83 23.09
1WAP 22.80 22.37 23.00 23.27 22.86
2WAP 22.20 22.27 22.73 21.70 22.23
Means 22.63 22.61 22.90 22.59
LSD (0.05) <strong>Method</strong> = 0.30 LSD (0.05) <strong>Time</strong> = 0.27 LSD (0.05) M x T = 0.54

PAT 2011;7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213; Iren et al.,, <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> .. 114
Table 11: Interactive effects <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> method <strong>of</strong> manure application on number <strong>of</strong>
leaves per plant at 5 WAP in both years
<strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> manure application
<strong>Time</strong> method <strong>of</strong>
<strong>Manure</strong>
B<strong>and</strong> B<strong>and</strong>inc Bcastinc Broad Means
2WBP 33.00 33.83 34.47 34.15 33.86
1WBP 32.97 33.63 36.43 34.83 34.47
AP 34.72 34.53 34.33 34.87 34.61
1WAP 32.37 31.97 33.52 33.93 32.95
2WAP 32.55 32.98 33.30 32.15 32.75
Means 33.12 33.39 34.41 33.99
LSD (0.05) <strong>Method</strong> = 0.68 LSD (0.05) <strong>Time</strong> = 0.49 LSD (0.05) M x T = 1.04
Table 12: <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> time <strong>of</strong> manure application on yield (t/ha) <strong>of</strong> Amaranthus in the
first <strong>and</strong> second cropping seasons
<strong>Time</strong> <strong>of</strong>
manure
application
First cropping season (2005) Second cropping season (2006)
Fresh yield
(t/ha)
Dry matter yield
(t/ha)
Fresh yield
(t/ha)
Dry matter yield
(t/ha)
2WBP 41.33 5.23 38.17 4.50
1WBP 51.00 6.41 47.17 5.50
AP 45.33 5.84 41.83 4.73
1WAP 43.83 5.43 40.17 4.74
2WAP 40.17 4.91 36.50 4.14
LSD (0.05) 5.86 0.80 6.80 0.82
1WBP = one week before planting 1WAP = one week after planting AP = at planting
2WBP = two weeks before planting 2WAP = two weeks after planting
Table 13: <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> time <strong>of</strong> manure application on yield (t/ha) <strong>of</strong>
Amaranthus (average <strong>of</strong> two years)
<strong>Time</strong> <strong>of</strong> manure
application
Fresh yield (t/ha)
Dry matter yield (t/ha)
2WBP 39.75 4.87
1WBP 49.08 5.95
AP 43.58 5.29
1WAP 42.00 5.08
2WAP 38.33 4.53
LSD (0.05) 4.84 0.60

PAT 2011;7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213; Iren et al.,, <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> .. 115

PAT 2011;7 (1): 103 -116 ISSN: 0794-5213; Iren et al.,, <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Time</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pig</strong> <strong>Manure</strong> <strong>Application</strong> .. 116