A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ON THE EFFECT OF NPK FERTILIZER ON CROP GROWTH (A CASE STUDY OF MICHAEL OPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, UMUAHIA ABIA STATE)
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1. Background of the study
Agriculture is a cardinal sector in the economy of any nation. Fertilizer application has over the period been essential in the effective growth of agricultural output. The importance of fertilizer in agriculture cannot be over emphasized; in other to effectively feed the nation and have enough to export, then understanding the importance of fertilizers is paramount. Fertilizers where effectively used from the 19th century in the world to grow crops amongst other things. There are basically two major types of fertilizer viz: Organic fertilizer
Inorganic or synthetic fertilizers These types of fertilizers have overtime help in boosting agricultural output in Nigeria and by extension help to boost our gross domestic product (GDP).
The nutrients required for healthy plant life are classified according to the elements, but the elements are not used as fertilizers. Instead compounds containing these elements are the basis of fertilizers. The macro nutrients are consumed in larger quantities and are present in plant tissue in quantities from 0.15% to 6.0% on a dry matter (DM) (0% moisture) basis. Crops are made up of four main elements: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are widely available as water and carbon dioxide. Although nitrogen makes up most of the atmosphere, it is in a form that is unavailable to plants. Nitrogen is the most important fertilizer since nitrogen is present in proteins. To become nutritious to plants, nitrogen must be made available in a “fixed” form. Only some bacteria and their host plants (e.g. legumes) can fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2) by converting it to ammonia. Phosphate is required for the production of DNA, the main energy carrier in cells, as well as certain lipids. Micro nutrients are consumed in smaller quantities and are present in plant tissue on the order of parts per million (ppm), ranging from 0.15 to 400 ppm DM, or less than 0.04% DM. These elements are oen present at the active sites of enzymes that carry out the plant’s metabolism. Because these elements enable
catalysts (enzymes) their impact far exceeds their weight percentage. Nitrogen being one of the most important nutrients needed for effective crop growth has prompted the eect of the NPK fertilizer on crop growth.
Nitrogen phosphorous potassium (NPK) fertilizer The agriculture industry relies heavily on the use of NPK fertilizer. There are various nutrients that plants need for healthy and effective growth. Soils oen
lack these elements, either naturally, or as a result of over cultivation or depletion, and needs to have these nutrients into it.
NPK fertilizer is primarily composed of three main elements: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K), each of these being essential in plant nutrition and growth. Among other benefits, Nitrogen helps plants grow quickly, while also increasing the production of seed and fruit, and bettering the quality of crops. Nitrogen is also a component of chlorophyll, the substance that gives plants their green color, and also aids in photosynthesis which is the most important process in every crop development as a lot depends on how well a plant photosynthesizes. Phosphorus, also a key player in the photosynthesis process, plays a vital role in a variety of the things needed by plants. Phosphorus supports the formation of oils, sugars, and starch Â
