ABSTRACT

The experiment to know the effects,fertilizer (NPK 27: 13: 13) and poultry manure application on vegetation development, which lasted for three months was investigated on two abandoned sites at Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike (lat. 51/2⁰N and. Long. 71/2 °E) during the rainy season (between May and July, 1998). Three treatment factors, four levels of fertilizer (F0 . - Control, - poultry manure at 2000kg ha, F2 - Inorganic fertilizer at 200kg \ha, F7 - mixture of poultry manure and inorganic fertilizer at 1000kg ha and 100kg \ha respectively, two sites (C1 - Behind Academic Complex and. C2 - Beside Academic Complex), and three sampling Intervals (T1, T5 and T9 corresponding to first week, fifth week and ninth week respectively), were combined in a '4-x2x3 factiodal experiment giving a total of 21.I treatments. Each treatment combination was replicated four times and arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Soil analysis was carried out to know the characteristics of the sites. The results of the experiment obtained which was confirmcd hrough statistical analysis showed that site B (C2) performed better in terms of plant species natural regeneration, coverage and distribution. Also, the fertilizer treatments did not •show significant effect on th,e messured parameters. In addition, it was observed that natural regeneration of species was greatest at ninth week and showed much significant effect.

TABLE CONTENTS

Title Page

 Dedication ii

Certification iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of Contents v

List of Symbols and Abbreviations vi

List of Tables and Plates ... v

Abstract VIII

CHAPTER ONE : INTRODUCTION 1.1.

Background of Study 1,2

Statement of Problem 1.3

Objectives of Study 1.4

Justification

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1

Ecology and Value of Vegetation  2.2

The Role of Inorganic Fertilizer and poultry manure on plant yield C 2.3

Tillage, Organic Matter nc1 Crop R• ICIUCS Importance of Fertilizer Use Efficiency. . 10 CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS 3.1.

 Study Area 1.3 3.2

Methodology 14

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 4.1

Plant Species Idcntify at the Experimental Sites 18 4.2

Extent of Cover 20 4.3

Plant Species Population Showing Natural Regeneration

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSI0N REFERENCES APPENDIX ... 4 4 5 27 vi