The Effect of Poultry Manure on the Growth of Ginger (zingiber Officinale) in Kafanchan

A field trial was conducted during the 2024 wet season at the Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Kaduna State University (KASU), Kafanchan Campus, to evaluate the effects of different rates of poultry manure on the growth of ginger (Zingiber officinale). The study investigated three rates of poultry manure (3, 6, and 9 t/ha) alongside a control group. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on plant height, stem girth, number of leaves per plant, and leaf area. Analysis of variance was performed on the collected data, and means were separated using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT).The results from the study indicated that while there were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) in growth parameters among treatments, moderate application of poultry manure (3 t/ha) showed a positive trend in enhancing plant height and leaf production. The treatment with 6 t/ha resulted in the highest number of leaves per plant but did not significantly outperform the control. Conversely, the highest rate of poultry manure (9 t/ha) did not yield additional benefits and may have led to nutrient imbalances that inhibited growth. These findings suggest that while poultry manure can improve vegetative growth in ginger, careful management of application rates is essential to maximize benefits and minimize adverse effects associated with over-fertilization. Recommendations include utilizing moderate rates of poultry manure and implementing integrated disease management practices to enhance ginger cultivation sustainably.