Analyzing the Effect of Organic Manure in Comparison With NPK on Cabbage Growth and Yield.
The agricultural sector continually seeks sustainable methods to improve crop productivity and yields. This study examines the effects of organic manure and chemical fertilizers, specifically NPK, on cabbage growth and yields, aiming to provide insight into their influence on cabbage cultivation. Or...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Kabale University
2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2466 |
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| Summary: | The agricultural sector continually seeks sustainable methods to improve crop productivity and yields. This study examines the effects of organic manure and chemical fertilizers, specifically NPK, on cabbage growth and yields, aiming to provide insight into their influence on cabbage cultivation. Organic manure comprises natural materials such as animal waste, compost, and green manure. It releases nutrients gradually, enhances soil structure, and promotes long-term soil health. Conversely, NPK fertilizers composed of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are chemically manufactured to supply essential nutrients directly to plants. While NPK fertilizers can rapidly boost growth and yields, their excessive use risks soil degradation and environmental pollution. Organic manure supports cabbage growth by slowly releasing essential nutrients, improving soil structure, and fostering beneficial soil organisms. It minimizes nutrient leaching, enhances root development, and boosts water and nutrient uptake, leading to healthier plants with increased resistance to pests and diseases. NPK fertilizers, on the other hand, provide an immediate nutrient supply. Nitrogen promotes vegetative growth and lush green leaves, phosphorus enhances root development and accelerates maturity, and potassium improves disease resistance and water-use efficiency. However, overuse of NPK can cause nutrient imbalances, chemical burns, and reduced plant resilience. In terms of yield, organic manure enriches the soil with organic matter and nutrients over time, producing higher-quality crops with improved flavor and texture. However, its benefits are gradual and may take several growing seasons to manifest. In contrast, NPK fertilizers deliver high macronutrient concentrations for rapid absorption, resulting in faster growth rates and higher short-term yields. Nevertheless, excessive reliance on NPK may compromise long-term soil health and contribute to environmental degradation. To achieve optimal yields sustainably, farmers should adhere to recommended application rates and avoid over-fertilization. A balanced approach combining organic manure and NPK fertilizers can enhance cabbage cultivation. Organic manure ensures long-term soil health through gradual nutrient release, while NPK provides immediate access to critical macronutrients for rapid growth stimulation. Integrating these methods allows farmers to achieve high yields without sacrificing sustainability, ensuring productive cabbage farming while preserving environmental resources for future generations. |
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