Yield Response of Jew’s Mallow (Corchorus olitorius) to Fertilizer Application and Soil Properties in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria

Background and Objective: Jew’s mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) is a widely consumed leafy vegetable in Nigeria, but its productivity is often limited by poor soil fertility. Farmers rely heavily on inorganic fertilizers, yet the potential of organic alternatives for sustainable production remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth, yield, and soil chemical properties of Jew’s mallow under field conditions. Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted during the 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons at the Agricultural Development Program Center (ADP), Ibadan, Nigeria, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and five treatments: poultry manure (4 t/ha), pig manure (4 t/ha), NPK 20:10:10 (200 kg/ha), Super Gro liquid fertilizer (1 L/ha), and a control. Pre-cropping soil analysis revealed acidic soil (pH 4.52) with low organic matter and nutrient content. Growth, yield, and soil properties were assessed, and data were analyzed using One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at a p<0.05 level of significance. Results: Poultry and pig manure significantly (p<0.05) increased plant height and leaf number compared to the control. The NPK enhanced edible yield, while Super Gro improved marketable yield. No significant differences were observed in leaf area or total biomass among treatments. All fertilizers improved soil organic carbon, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg levels, with NPK showing the highest nutrient increases, though it lowered soil pH. Poultry manure and Super Gro slightly reduced soil acidity, whereas pig manure increased pH. Conclusion: Both organic and inorganic fertilizers enhanced Jew’s mallow growth, yield, and soil fertility. Poultry and pig manure proved effective alternatives to inorganic fertilizers, offering a more sustainable option for improving soil quality and ensuring long-term production.