Journal of Agronomy Research

Journal of Agronomy Research

Current Issue Volume No: 3 Issue No: 2

Research-article Article Open Access
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  • Efficacy Of Bat Guano On Growth And Yield Of Some Hybrid Sunflower (Helianthus annus, L.) Cultivars In Sudan

    1 Department of Crop Science, College of Agriculture, University of Bahri, Khartoum North, Sudan 

    2 Ministry of Agriculture, Wealth and Irrigation-Khartoum State-Sudan 

    3 Department of Pests and Plant Health, College of Agriculture, University of Bahri, Khartoum North, Sudan 

    Abstract

    Today; there is an increasing demand for fertilizers due to the intensive and extensive agricultural activity to meet the ever increasing demand for food and fiber by the rapid world population expansion. This study is mainly concern with the Bat Guano which is usually collected from the Caves. This experiment was conducted at the Farm of the College of Agriculture, University of Bahri, Alkadaro, Khartoum North-Sudan during the period from July to November, 2017 with the objective to investigate the efficacy of Bat Guano and Nitrogen fertilizer on growth and yield of Serena and Opera (Helianthusannus, L.) Hybrid Sunflower cultivars. The study was based on split-plot experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four (4) replications. Data pertaining Plant Height (cm), Leaf Number (LN), Leaf Area (LA), Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Seed Weight (SW) were studied. The said data were analyzed using Statistic 8- software. The results reflected significant increase in plant height (F= 6.05, P < 0.0001, leaf number (F=2.37, P<0.0388), leaf area (F= 7.44, P<0.001), leaf area index (F= 6.53, P < 0.0001) and seed weight of both Sunflower cultivars respectively due to application of Guano and Nitrogen fertilizer compared to the control. It also reflected non-significant difference between all studied traits as application of either Guano or Nitrogen fertilizer. Moreover, all studied characters of the two cultivars have similarly responded to the application of the two types of fertilizers. Further studies are recommended to assess the benefits from the use of Bat Guano as a fertilizer.
    Author Contributions
    Received Dec 02, 2020     Accepted Dec 21, 2020     Published Dec 25, 2020

    Copyright© 2020 H. M. Adam Abubaker, et al.
    License
    Creative Commons License   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

    Competing interests

    The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

    Funding Interests:

    Citation:

    H. M. Adam Abubaker, Adam Abdalla, M.A Magid Faiza (2020) Efficacy Of Bat Guano On Growth And Yield Of Some Hybrid Sunflower (Helianthus Annus, L.) Cultivars In Sudan Journal of Agronomy Research. - 3(2):28-38
    DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-20-3642

    Introduction

    Introduction

    Sunflower is one of the most important oil seed crops in the world. It ranks the 4th_ oil seed plants; proceeded by Soybean, Palm oil and Rapeseed plant. The crop isa native of Mexico and Peru. With the European exploration of the New World, the crop spread out to different parts of the world due to its adaptation to wide range of climatic conditions. It can be grown year around under both rain-fed and irrigation agricultural systems 12. The crop has many uses, such as human use (oil, and non-oil seed as snack food), animal feed, green fodder and silage. But few species have economic importance as ornamentals 3.

    Sunflower is grown worldwide. The main ten (10) Sunflower seed producing countries are Ukraine, Russia, China, Romania, Argentina, Bulgaria, Tanzania, Turkey, Hungary, France, while the Sudan share is about 0.1% 4.

    Nowadays, fertilizers are commonplace, but 200 years ago synthetic fertilizers were rarely used. Farmers were relying on ash, manure, and bones, to supplement soil, but it was not fully understood why such materials were beneficial. However, by the beginning of the 19th_ century, due to extensive use of American farmlands, soil nutrients were exhausted. Farmers began searching for better fertilizers. Then, in the 1840s, Bird Guano appeared in the United States, Due to the increasing demand for Sunflower; yield improvement became an important issue. Cultural practices including fertilization are among the important approaches to increase crop yield. However, chemical and organic fertilizers are applied to increase the yield, but due to high cost of synthetic fertilizers, many farmers, particularly in the third world began to use organic fertilizers which are less cost including Bat Guano 5.

    Guano is an accumulated excretion of Birds and Bats which is utilized as natural fertilizer. It has played a pivotal role in agricultural development in Latin America and Oceania 6. Historically, the term Guano originated from the Andes area of South America refers to any form of dung used for crop fertilization 7. The local community of Andes used to collect Guano from islands and the coast of Peru for soil amendment for over 5,000 years 8. The most important producers of Guano are the Guanay cormorant, the Peruvian pelican and the Peruvian booby9. It is stated that Guano is rich in Macro and Micro elements 10. Nevertheless, studies showed that Bird Guano has high levels of nutrients such as  Ammonium and Nitrate. By mass, it is 8–21% nitrogen; the nitrogen content is about 80% uric acid, 7% ammonia, 10% protein, and 0.5% nitrate 11. Some of Bird Guano's most common chemical elements are phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium12.

    However, Guano is a multi-functional fertilizer that can be used as a soil conditioner, enriching the soil with NPK and trace minerals, improving soil texture. It also has fungicidal effect when applied to leaves, and a compost activator that speeds up the decomposition process of compost and can also control harmful nematodes in the soil. Moreover, the microbes in Guano fertilizer have been reported to aid with cleansing toxicities from the soil, improving the natural balance without increasing alkaline or acid levels, while providing the soil’s biological system with fast and slow release nutrients. It also claimed that Guano positively enhances the taste of the produce by making the overall flavor sweeter, richer, and less watery 13.

    Researchers found that Bat Guano from three different Bat species, the Frugivory (Pteropus rodricensis) family Pteropodidae which feeds on fruits, the Sanguivory (Desmodus rotundus) family Phyllostomidae, feeds on animal blood like cows, horses, and pigs, and Insectivory (Tadaridabrasiliensis), family Molossidae feeds on insects, differ in chemical composition due to their different dietary habits 1314. The Insectivorous which feed on different nutrition sources in different habitats had elevated Nitrogen in Organic and dry matter (DM), while the Sanguivorous had elevated Carbon in Organic Matter (OM). Both Insectivorous and Frugivorous had elevated Phosphorus. However, Frugivorous had the greatest Carbon-to-Nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio), while Sanguivorous had the greatest Nitrogen-to-Phosphorus ratio and Carbon-to-Phosphorus ratio 15.

    It is reported that the freshly excretion of insectivorous Bat Guano contains several mineral elements like Carbon, Nitrogen, Sulfur, Phosphorus, with  pH ranging from 5.1 to 7.3, tending to be neutral or acidic. Nevertheless, as it ages, and becomes strongly acidic with pH ranging from 2.7 to 4. 16.

    Generally, the main aim of this study was to investigate the positive influential effects of Bat Guano on different crop parameters, and find out the possibility of its application as economically sound, socially acceptable and environmentally friend organic fertilizer to increase crop yield and contribute to food security in the face of rapid population increase and exponential raising prices of the synthetic fertilizers.

    Materials And Methods

    Materials and Methods

    This experiment was conducted at the Farm of the College of Agriculture, University of Bahri, at Alkadaro, Khartoum State, Sudan. The farm is situated within the latitudes 130 27ˋ-150.45ˋN longitudes 320. 35ˋ- 400.96`E and altitude of 398 m above the sea level. The area lies in semi-arid region, with temperature ranging between 30-450C in the summer and between 10-250C during the winter. The average annual rainfall ranges between 0-100 mm, with relative humidity ranging from 16 to 50 % 17. The soil of the study area is heavy clay with pH 7.5 - 8, thus, it is classified as saline soil.

    This experiment was conducted during the summer of 2017, designed as split-plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with four replications. The land was well prepared, Sunflower seeds of Serena and Opera (H-16-096\0306) cultivars were treated with fungicide, then sown in rows 75X30 cm apart and 30 cm distance between holes Bad Guano powder and Nitrogen fertilizer were applied pre-sowing at the rate of 60 and 50 kg/fed. respectively. Frequent irrigation was practiced every 7-10 days. Weeds were controlled by application of systemic selective herbicide. Samples of the studied plant characters were taken at random. The collected data were analyzed using Statistic 8 software. The results were presented in tables and figures.

    Results

    Results and Discussion

    The obtained results casted light on studied plant characters and how they were influenced by the application the two types of fertilizers. The results are presented in the following tables and figures followed by discussion.

    According to the Table 1 and Figure 1 the results showed that plant height of both Serena and Opera cultivars was significantly increased due to application of Guano and Nitrogen (F= 6.05, P < 0.0001), but it exhibited non-significant difference in the plant height of Serena and Opera cultivars as a result of application of either Guano or Nitrogen. It is clear that the plant height of the two cultivars responded equally to Guano and Nitrogen fertilizers (F=5.34, P < 0.1040). Examples of positive effect of Guano on crops are reflected in the experiments on Eggplant (Solanum melongena L) and Moringa oleifera Lam which revealed significant increase of stem circumference and plant height after the application of Bat Guano compared to the chemicals fertilizer and the control 18. In another experiment, the effect of Bad Guano on growth parameters of Vigna radiata in terms of its root, shoot length and biomass was studied. Applications of Guano demonstrated the best growth in shoot length and biomass compared to the control 19. Moreover, a study conducted in Turkey during 2014-2015 revealed that application of Bat Guano has significantly increased the total plant height and stem diameter of luttuce (Lactuca sativa L.) 20. Furthermore, the application of Guano has significantly increased the plant height of Onion crop 21.

    Effect of Bat Guano on Plant height (cm) of Serena and Opera Sunflower Cultivars (AlKadaro, Sudan,2017)
    Cultivar: Serena
    Treatment Rep.
    R1 R2 R3 R4 Mean
    N0 145.500 258.500 671.075 794.500 467.39
    N1 125.893 376.070 586.928 912.928 500.45
    N2 183.535 540.208 688.388 884.358 574.12
    N3 111.100 402.930 584.000 768.643 474.16
    G0 121.375 249.325 656.875 802.750 457.58
    G1 103.500 531.713 674.520 910.180 554.98
    G2 118.928 486.175 615.428 1038.966 564.87
    G3 77.013 534.632 683.357 916.215 552.80
    Cultivar: Opera
    Treatment Rep.
    R1 R2 R3 R4 Mean
    N0 48.325 82.250 118.750 129.575 94.72
    N1 132.764 473.800 628.186 882.880 529.40
    N2 85.285 352.175 522.960 817.040 444.36
    N3 174.965 372.785 649.500 1302.993 544.06
    G0 47.400 75.475 107.225 121.575 87.91
    G1 81.000 338.670 740.505 919.890 520.01
    G2 97.820 632.323 692.885 1146.930 642.48
    G3 95.643 406.822 743.787 1195.357 610.40
    Impact of Guano and Nitrogen on Plant Height of Serena and Opera cultivars (AlKadaro, 2017)

    Considering Table 2 and Figure 2, they revealed that leaf number of Serena and Opera cultivars was significantly increased as a result of application of Guano and Nitrogen fertilizers (F= 2.37, P< 0.0388). Moreover, the result showed non- significant difference in the leaf number of Serena and Opera cultivars as a result of application of either Guano or Nitrogen. Additionally, the leaf number of Serena and Opera cultivars responded similarly to Guano and Nitrogen (F=6.32, P < 0.0866). Moreover, an experiment result showed the application of Bad Guano has increased the number of leaves of spring Onion; hence it showed better performance on all parameters and the plant fresh weight 21.

    Effect of Bat Guano on Leaf Number of Serena on Opera Sunflower Cultivars (AlKadaro, Sudan,2017/)
    Cultivar: Serena
    Treatment Rep.
    R1 R2 R3 R4 Mean
    N0 13 25 27 30 23
    N1 18 28 33 40 29
    N2 12 24 27 31 23
    N3 15 24 27 28 23
    G0 16 19 25 40 25
    G1 12 22 26 30 22
    G2 12 23 26 29 22
    G3 11 24 26 28 23
    Cultivar: Opera
    Treatment Rep.
    R1 R2 R3 R4 Mean
    N0 15 22 21 20 19
    N1 13 20 27 30 22
    N2 11 21 27 30 22
    N3 14 21 27 30 23
    G0 16 20 26 23 21
    G1 12 22 26 29 22
    G2 12 22 27 31 23
    G3 13 21 25 28 21
    Impact of Guano on Leaf Number of Serena and Opera cultivars (AlKadaro, Sudan, 2017)

    The results in the Table 3 and Figure 3; demonstrated that the overall leaf area of Serena and Opera cultivars has significantly increased in the field experimental units which treated with Guano and Nitrogen compared with untreated units (F= 7.44, P < 0.001). Moreover, the result showed that there is non-significant difference in the leaf area of Serena and Opera cultivars due to application of either Guano or Nitrogen. Furthermore, the two cultivars “Serena and Opera” responded similarly (F= 3.26, P < 0.1687) to Guano and Nitrogen treatments.

    Effect of Nitrogen and Bat Guano on Leaf Area.of Serena and Opera Sunflower Cultivars (AlKadaro, Sudan, 2017)
    Cultivar: Serena
    Treatment Rep.
    R1 R2 R3 R4 Mean
    N0 17.127 19.575 74.200 85.852 49.18
    N1 50.860 129.925 148.975 206.950 134.17
    N2 42.725 126.125 160.625 200.100 134.39
    N3 26.425 94.050 136.200 179.325 108.98
    G0 13.650 18.000 128.500 149.375 77.38
    G1 24.025 94.975 157.425 212.275 122.17
    G2 27.525 112.450 143.450 242.425 131.46
    G3 19.775 123.775 156.950 212.875 128.26
    Cultivar: Opera  
    Treatment Rep.  
    R1 R2 R3 R4 Mean
    N0 16.250 20.500 69.500 82.225 47.11
    N1 32.080 105.280 180.340 191.470 127.29
    N2 22.975 82.100 122.050 319.800 136.73
    N3 28.500 90.525 162.600 83.975 91.4
    G0 18.025 26.000 64.775 75.250 46.01
    G1 18.550 79.026 172.825 214.650 69.293
    G2 22.475 147.300 162.175 246.075 144.50
    G3 21.750 95.975 161.450 278.800 139.49
    Impact of Guano and Nitrogen on Leaf Area of Serena and Opera cultivars (AlKadaro, Sudan, 2017)

    According to the Table 4 and Figure 4 there is a significant increase in leaf area index of both Serena and Opera due to application of Guano or Nitrogen (F= 6.53, P < 0.0001). Moreover; the result displayed non- significant difference in the leaf area index of the two cultivars as a result of application of either Guano or Nitrogen. Furthermore, the leaf area index of the two cultivars responded differently to the application of Guano and Nitrogen (F=14.76, P < 0.0311).

    Effect of Bat Guano on Leaf Area Index of Serena and Opera Sunflower Cultivars (AlKadaro, Sudan,2017)
    Cultivar: Serena
    Treatment Rep.
    R1 R2 R3 R4 Mean
    N0 24.250 27.750 30.200 34.825 29.25
    N1 15.850 44.225 64.550 86.800 52.85
    N2 14.62 35.250 71.775 93.875 53.88
    N3 16.150 29.750 61.750 78.400 46.51
    G0 18.325 29.100 33.000 39.500 29.98
    G1 13.375 31.625 77.725 95.775 54.62
    G2 14.050 33.400 77.075 96.900 55.35
    G3 10.550 43.700 80.475 92.700 56.85
    Cultivar: Opera
    Treatment Rep.  
    R1 R2 R3 R4 Mean
    N0 13.175 29.750 32.575 39.225 29.43
    N1 13.040 34.460 70.500 88.860 51.71
    N2 18.725 34.400 71.225 84.550 52.22
    N3 17.475 25.125 63.850 80.500 46.73
    G0 14.575 26.750 29.850 33.750 26.23
    G1 10.950 35.900 75.050 99.625 55.38
    G2 11.550 32.525 60.400 98.975 50.86
    G3 15.800 42.100 79.575 95.950 58.35
    Impact of Guano and Nitrogen on Leaf Area Index of Seren and Opera cultivars (AlKadaro, Sudan, 2017)

    As far as the (1000) Seed Weight concern, the result (Table 5, Table 6 and Figure 5 reflected that application of both Guano and Nitrogen increased the average seed weight of both cultivars. But the two cultivars responded different to Bat Guano and Nitrogen fertilizer. A study conducted in Turkey during 2014-2015 revealed that application of Bat Guano has significantly increased the total yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) 20. Results of study on Wheat crop demonstrated that Bat Guano proved to be more effective than farmyard manure by increasing thousand grain weight by 6%, number of spikes in m2 by 66%, stem yield by 87%, grain yield by 35%, plant height by 8.4% and hectoliter weight by 5% 22.

    Effect of Bat Guano and Nitrogen on (1000) Seed weight of Serena Sunflower Cultivar (AlKadaro, Sudan,2017)
    Treatment Mean Seed weight
    N0 24.650
    N1 24.880
    N2 47.713
    N3 30.978
    G0 18.025
    G1 36.320
    G2 36.018
    G3 46.417
    Effect of Bat Guano and Nitrogen on (1000) Seed Weight of Opera Sunflower Cultivar (AlKadaro, Sudan,2017)
    Treatment Mean Seed weight
    N0 13.100
    N1 38.952
    N2 31.467
    N3 43.232
    G0 12.950
    G1 39.130
    G2 33.355
    G3 41.873
    Impact of Guano and Nitrogen on Seed Weight of Serena and Opera cultivars (AlKadaro, Sudan, 2017)

    Conclusion

    Conclusion and Recommendations

    Bat Guano is a multifunctional. It has numerous benefits, among which: Improves soil texture and structure, enriches the soil with macro and micro nutrient elements, acts as a fungicide when applied to leaves, improves the natural balance without increasing alkaline or acid levels, Its application rates are smaller than those of other manure, low to non-existent odor, fast action in the process of decomposition process in comparison to other natural manures. It speeds up the decomposition process of compost matter and can also control harmful nematodes in the soil

    Different field and vegetable crops showed positive response to the application of natural organic fertilizer namely the bad Guano as well as the Nitrogen fertilizer.

    A shift from application of synthetic to organic fertilizer is a great success towards the organic farming.

    Further studies are recommended to assess the benefits from the use of Bat Guano as a fertilizer.

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