The Effect of Poultry Manure on the Metabolome of Green Amaranthus ( Amaranthus Blitum ) and Insects Infestation

Student: IFEANYI EMMANUEL SHEDRACK (Project, 2025)
Department of Crop Production and Soil Science
University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State

Abstract

Amaranthus blitum, a valuable leafy vegetable widely grown in sub-Saharan Africa, plays a
crucial role in regional nutrition, yet its production is often constrained by low soil fertility
and pest pressures. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different poultry manure
application rates on metabolomic profile, and pest infestation of A. blitum at the Teaching
and Research Farm at Faculty of Agriculture University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State,
Nigeria. Growth parameters such as plant height, leaf number, leaf area, and stem girth were
measured, alongside metabolite profiling (e.g., phenols, proteins, lipids). Insect pests
associated with A. blitum were identified such as leaf beetles (Chrysolagria cuprina,
Crioceris nigropunctata), stink bugs (Aspavia armigera), and blowflies (Chrysomyia
albiceps). Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA. Results indicated that poultry manure
significantly enhanced soil fertility, 12.50 ton/ha of poultry manure had the highest mean
plant height of 35.70 cm, which was significantly higher than the mean plant height of other
treatments, including the control (24.70 cm), 7.50 ton/ha (26.40 cm), and 10 ton/ha of poultry
manure (15.30 cm) and shows increased plant growth and metabolomic richness. The 12.5
ton/ha manure rate was optimal, promoting robust growth.

Keywords
manure poultry blitum plant amaranthus growth height infestation fertility metabolomic
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