Effect of cow dung and NPK fertilizer on the early growth of Northern Black Wattle (Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex. Benth) in Kaduna Northern Guinea Savanna Eco - zone of Nigeria

Abstract

During the early stages of plant growth, trees are very well dependent on soil nutrient supply, the soil has to be enrich with nutrients (Organic and inorganic) applications for optimal growth and development. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of cow dung and NPK applications on Acacia auriculiformis at early growth stage to ascertain the best means of improving faster seedling growth of the species. The study was conducted in Savanna Forestry Research Station nursery situated in Institute for Agricultural Research (I.A.R) farm 
Samaru in Kurumi Bomu village. Seeds of matured Acacia   auriculiformis were collected from plus tree at Savanna Forestry Research Station, Samaru – Zaria; Pre-treated with 50% of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for 60 minutes to break the seed dormancy and sown directly in nursery pots filled with top soil, ten (10) potted seedlings were picked two (2) weeks after germination and divided into three (3) groups of three (3) different levels (3g; 6g and 9g) of cow dung and NPK 
(15:15:15) fertilizers. The experiment was laid out using Complete Randomized Design (CRD), ring method of fertilizers application were used.  measured include seedling height; number oleaves and seedlings diameter the data was collected at 2WBFA, 4WAFA, 6WAFA and 8WAFA and subjected to analysis of variance and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at the end of the experiment the results show that application of cow dung at various doses significantly P≤0.05 yielded better growth and seedlings quality of Acacia   auriculiformis as compared 
to NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer. NPK applied at 6 grams and 9 grams were significantly P≤0.05 toxic to the seedlings which led to high mortality rate after application. However, from the results obtained in this experiment it was recommended that cow dung should be utilized to make nutrient available for optimal growth of Acacia auriculiformis seedlings and the application of NPK fertilizers above 3g on Acacia   auriculiformis seedlings should be discouraged.