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Agriculture

Research Suggests Direct Sowing of Tiger Nut Can Enhance Food Production in Nigeria

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a bid to improve food production in the humid rainforest of Nigeria, a new study has explored the feasibility of cultivating tiger nuts using direct sowing and transplant methods. The research, conducted by scholars at the University of Benin, has revealed that direct sowing of tiger nuts with various fertilizer applications can significantly increase agronomic traits and tuber yield. The findings suggest that direct sowing method outperforms transplanting in several aspects, including plant height, leaf area, and tuber yield.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that direct sowing of tiger nuts resulted in superior agronomic traits compared to transplanting, including plant height (98.35 cm), leaf area (67.95 cm^2), and tuber yield (4.29 t ha^-1).
  • The application of fertilizer, including NPK and poultry manure, significantly improved tuber yield and plant growth.
  • The researchers recommend direct sowing of tiger nut with any of the fertilizer rates used in the study as a viable option for tiger nut farmers in the locality.
  • The study was published in the Journal of Agroforestry and Environment, a peer-reviewed journal published by the Agroforestry Society of Bangladesh.
  • The authors of the study are Ehizogie Joyce FALODUN and Boris Osarobo OKONOKHUA, both affiliated with the University of Benin.
  • The research suggests that direct sowing and fertilizer application can be a effective way to increase food production in the humid rainforest of Nigeria.

Statistics:

  • The study involved a combination of two sowing methods (direct sowing and transplant) and four fertilizer rates (control, NPK 15:15:15, poultry droppings 20 t ha^-1, and poultry manure 10 t ha^-1 + 200 kg ha^-1 NPK 15:15:15).
  • Plant height increased significantly in the direct sowing method (98.35 cm) compared to transplanting.
  • Leaf area also increased significantly in the direct sowing method (67.95 cm^2).
  • Fresh tuber yield increased significantly in the direct sowing method (4.29 t ha^-1).

Sources:

  • VerticalNews. "New Research on Poultry Farming from the University of Benin." Agriculture Week, 2025.
  • FALODUN, Ehizogie Joyce, and Boris Osarobo OKONOKHUA. "Direct Sowing and Transplant Influenced Performance of Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) Fertilized with NPK and Poultry Manure in Southern Nigeria." Journal of Agroforestry and Environment, vol. 18, no. 1, 2025, pp. 84-91. doi: 10.55706/jae1810.

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