The effect of organic (poultry manure) and folia fertilizer application on the growth, yield and phytochemical composition of Hibiscus sabdariffa was investigated in planting pot experiments. Seeds of this plant were sown in soil treated with organic fertilizer at 40, 80 and 120 g separately and also supplemented with folia fertilizer two weeks after germination. Some seedlings with no organic fertilizer application were also sprayed with folia fertilizer, thus making seven treatments in all. No organic or folia fertilizer served as control. Application of 120 g poultry manure in combination with folia fertilizer produced the highest plant height (98.23 cm), dry shoot weigh plant-1 (24.66 g) and number of fruits plant-1 (19.33). The highest leaf number plant-1 (164.00), fresh (28.06 g) and dry (4.43 g) fruit weight was recorded in plants treated with 120 g poultry manure. More so, alkaloids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, and tannins were found in the calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa with or without organic and foliar fertilizer. However, treatments with organic fertilizer singly or in combination with folia fertilizer significantly (p < 0.05) increased the phytochemical contents in the calyces of the plant. Interestingly, 120 g poultry manure had the greatest impact. The use of organic fertilizer in the cultivation of this medicinal plant should be encouraged as they could enhance its better growth, good yield and medicinal value under safe agricultural condition.
Keywords: Folia Spray, Growth, Medicinal Value, Organic Fertilizer, Yield
