Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This research project conducted a multivariate analysis on the response of crops to fertilizer and soil types, focusing on a case study at the Federal University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State. The study aimed to investigate the combined effects of different types of fertilizers and soil characteristics on crop growth and yield. The research employed a structured experimental design to collect data on crop responses to varying fertilizer types and different soil conditions. The methodology involved the selection of specific crop types commonly grown in the region and the application of various types of fertilizers commonly used by local farmers. Different soil samples representing the soil types found in the study area were also collected and analyzed for their physical and chemical properties. The crops were planted in controlled conditions with the different combinations of fertilizers and soil types to observe their growth patterns and yield outcomes. The data collected from the study were subjected to multivariate analysis techniques to determine the interactions between the different variables, including fertilizer type, soil characteristics, crop type, and crop yield. The analysis aimed to identify any significant relationships or patterns that could provide insights into the optimal combinations of fertilizer and soil types for maximizing crop productivity. The results of the study revealed complex interactions between the different variables, indicating that the response of crops to fertilizers and soil types is influenced by multiple factors. Certain crops showed higher yields when grown in specific soil types and with particular types of fertilizers, highlighting the importance of considering these factors in agricultural practices. The multivariate analysis provided valuable insights into the relationships between the variables, enabling a more nuanced understanding of crop responses to fertilizer and soil type variations. Overall, this research project contributes to the existing knowledge of crop management practices by demonstrating the importance of considering the combined effects of fertilizers and soil types on crop productivity. The findings have implications for agricultural decision-making and can help guide farmers and agricultural practitioners in selecting the most suitable fertilizer and soil combinations to optimize crop growth and yield.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

Crop
production is an integral part of agriculture, the other half is animal
production or husbandry. Crop production can either be on a subsistence or
commercial level. It is subsistence when the farmer produces for himself and
family with a little for sale but it can be commercial when the farmer produces
in a large scale for market consumption. Whichever type of production a farmer
wants to embark upon, the knowledge of fertilizer and the nature of the soil is
of utmost importance as this would go a long way in determining the farmers
output. Since the 90’s agriculture in Nigeria that use to be at the front
burner as the nation’s chief income earner as suddenly taken a back stage as a
result of over dependency on crude. Agriculture overtime as been a major
sustainer of Nigeria’s economy before the discovery of crude oil otherwise
known as black gold (okoro 2005). Since its relegation to the background in
Nigeria, it has been practiced at an alarming peasant level with most of the
active stakeholder been largely subsistence agriculturists. Soil and fertilizer
type are very significant factors in crop production. It is highly
heterogeneous and this is the cause of differential rates of growth and yield
on a parcel of land planted to the same crop at the same time and with the same
management package (Olalokun, 1998). This is a source of frustration to crop
farming as farmers cannot think of a particular management package suitable for
their farmlands. Intensive cultivation and fertilizer application have become
the cardinal aspect of soil management especially in the West African sub
region. The Response to fertilizer
application in some cases is nothing to write home about; hence many farmers
have been forced to abandon their farmlands.

Types of fertilizers

Fertilizers
can broadly be grouped into two parts namely:

i.                  
Organic
fertilizers

As
the name implies, these are fertilizers derived from human excreta, animal and
plant matter such as compost and manure. Organic fertilizers generally have
lower nutrient concentration than inorganic fertilizers.

Advantages of organic
fertilizers

The
following are the advantages of organic fertilizers

·        
They do not harm or burn plants when
excessively applied on crops.

·        
They do not damage ground water.

·        
When applied on farmlands, they have long
term positive effects on farmlands.

·        
Organic fertilizers are renewable, biodegradable, sustainable, and
environmentally friendly.

·        
Although rather expensive in packages, you can make your own
organic fertilizer by composting or find inexpensive sources—such as local
dairy farms—that may sell composted manure.

Disadvantages of organic fertilizers

• Organic fertilizers break down according to nature’s
  rules, so they may not release nutrients as soon as you need them. You
  have to be patient – you won’t see improvement overnight. In fact, you may
  actually see a deficiency in your plants during the first couple of months
  until the first application breaks down. Hang in there! You’ll most
  definitely be rewarded.
• Nutrient ratios are often unknown, and the overall
  percentage is lower than chemical fertilizers. However, some organic
  products are actually higher in certain nutrients.

ii.                
Inorganic
fertilizer

Inorganic
fertilizers are synthetic fertilizers that are produced from chemical or
synthetic materials with defined proportion of desired chemicals that are
beneficial to crops.

 Advantages of inorganic fertilizers

• Since nutrients are available to the plants
  immediately, improvement occurs in days.
• They are highly analyzed to produce the exact ratio of
  nutrients desired.
• Standardized labeling makes ratios and chemical sources
  easy to understand.
• They’re inexpensive.

Disadvantages of inorganic
fertilizers

·        
If excessively applied, they can burn or
harm plants.

·        
When applied, it can cause water or air
pollution.

• Chemical
  fertilizers tend to leach, or filter away from the plants, requiring
  additional applications.
• Long-term
  use of chemical fertilizer can change the soil pH, upset beneficial
  microbial ecosystems, increase pests, and even contribute to the release
  of greenhouse gases.

1.1.          
STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL
PROBLEM

In Nigeria today, crop production has been
largely inconsistent resulting to the lack of knowledge of the combination of
soil type and fertilizer. This has led to general under production of crops in
Nigeria. An adequate knowledge on the right combination would help to increase
crop production and maintain that for a long time. There is equally a concern
by farmers and researchers on the best type of fertilizer between organic and
inorganic fertilizers to be used to increase crop yield. Researchers are also
interested in knowing if inorganic or organic fertilizers performances are soil
based. Another problem of farmers is to know the relationship between soil type
and crop yield.

1.2.          
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF
THE STUDY

This
study is aimed at the following:

1.     To
know if there is a relationship and the nature of this relationship (if any)
between soil type, fertilizer type and crop yield.

2.     To
know if there is a relationship between soil type and crop yield.

3.     To
know if there is a relationship between fertilizer type and crop yield.

4.     To
know the best combination of fertilizer and soil type that yields more crops.

1.3.          
SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY

The
significance or importance of this study is mainly to know if there is any
relationship between fertilizer type, nature of soil and crop yield. Another
importance of this survey is to know the soil type that encourages more crop
yield. A major significance of this
study is to know if there is a relationship between the following:

Soil
type and crop yield, soil fertilizer type and crop yield. The nature of these
relationships (if any) is also of utmost importance to us.

1.4.          
SCOPE
AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

For
the purpose of this study as the topic depicts, the scope of the study will be
focused on how crops respond to the types of fertilization in each of the
different types of soils. Another scope is to know if a relationship exists
between fertilizer type, soil type and crop yield. A major scope is to know the
best combination of fertilizer type and soil nature or type that enhances crop
yield. In the earlier stage of the study there is a detailed coverage of the
techniques and methods used in judging whether crops responded well or not to
fertilization by looking at their performances.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

It
is necessary to mention some of the limitation of this research work. The chief
limitation is the difficulty in obtaining relevant information in that a few of
our values were missing but these missing values were not statistically
significant enough to be noticed.

Notwithstanding,
in the highlighted limitation above, it is         hoped that this research will be
useful to agricultural researchers, farmers and other similar organization that
may want to know the general response of crops to the types of fertilization on
different soils.

1.5.          
DEFINITION
OF TERMS

i.                  
Organic:
produced
by or from living things.

ii.                
Inorganic:
not consisting of or coming from any living substances.

iii.              
Fertilizer:  a substance added to soil to make plants grow
more successfully.

iv.              
Crops:
a plant that is grown in large quantities, especially as food.

v.                
Synthetic:
artificial; made by combining chemical substances rather than being produced
naturally by plants or animals.

vi.              
Soil:
the top layer of the earth, in which plants, trees etc grow.