October 21, 2020
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Field trials were conducted at the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan (7 54 N,7 30E, 213m above sea level) to investigate the effects of poultry manure with or without mineral fertilizer and farm sanitation on yield and fruit losses in organic-based sweet orange (citrus sinensis L. Osbeck var. Agege 1)orchard. Seven treatments namely 10,15 and 20 t ha of poultry manure (PM),0.45 t ha PM+0.2 t ha NPK,15 t ha NPK and no fertilizer serving as the control. These were applied in two split-doses for two years, it was a factorial experiment laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Data were collected on fruit losses at 6-month interval and fruit yield yearly. Results showed that trees that received 15 t ha PM and 15 t ha PM+0.15 t ha NPK had significantly (p<0.05) higher percent increase I fruit yield as compared to the control. Fruit losses (due to fruit drop) ranging from 10-70% of total annual yield (10-15t ha) were recorded between 2006 to date under various fertilizer treatments, effective citrus orchard management requires regular farm sanitation (weeding slashing/pruning), cutting down of tree (serving as alternate host to fruit flies and other fruit pests), avoiding delaying harvesting (fruits are physiologically ripe), regular picking and burying of dropped citrus fruits may be recommended.