[01] Olasan Joseph Olalekan, Plant Science and Biotechnology Unit, Department of Botany, College of Science, University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria. [02] Aguoru Celestine Uzoma, Plant Science and Biotechnology Unit, Department of Botany, College of Science, University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria. [03] Omoigui Lucky Osabuohien, Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science, College of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria. [04] Ingbian Iveren Rachel, Plant Science and Biotechnology Unit, Department of Botany, College of Science, University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Application of inorganic fertilizer incrop production has been criticized in environmental and health management. This research therefore studied the effects of three animal based wastes products as alternative manure on the growth parameters of three selected cowpea varieties (UAM-1051-1, IT99K-573-2-1 and UAM-1055-6). Pot experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design using bone meal (BM), crab shell (CS), earthworm cast (EC) as treatments. Inorganic fertilizer (NPK) was used as negative control while pots without any treatment were set up as positive control. The total experimental unit was 108.. Data were collected at intervals on growth and flowering parameters and analysed. The largest variation was found in percentage germination (3WAP) (F=3745.43, P=0.05) followed by day to flowering (2WAMA) (F=2607.29, P<0.05). UAM-1055-6 had the highest percentage germination (78.7%) significantly different from UAM-1051-1 (60.18%). The height of UAM-1055-6 and IT99k-573-2-1 was significantly more enhanced at two weeks and five weeks after manure application (2-5WAMA). Number of leaves were also significantly higher in IT99k-573-2-1 (13.88) and UAM-1051-1 (13.5) than in UAM-1055-6 (11.64) after manure application. Day to flowering was highest in UAM-1055-6 (57.11 days). Combination of Bm+Cs+Ec (5g) gave the longest leaves (7.13 cm) while the application of Bm+Ec (7.5g) resulted in the widest plant spread (8.46cm). Highest number of leaves (17.08) was produced by Bm+Ec (5g). The quickest flowering time (<50 days) was achieved in Cs+Ec (5g), Bm (7.5g) and NPK (1.3g). Therefore, animal based organic manure under consideration performed better than NPK and control treatments and should be explored in cowpea production to address the challenges associated with high cost of inorganic fertilizer and its hazardous effects on the environment.

Cowpea Production, Animal Wastes, Manure, Environmental Management

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