Journal of Biotechnology Research ISSN(e): 2413-3256, ISSN(p): 2413-8878 Vol. 5, Issue. 7, pp: 57-63, 2019 URL: https://arpgweb.com/journal/journal/16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32861/jbr.57.57.63 Academic Research Publishing Group *Corresponding Author 57 Original Research Open Access Effect of Various Nutrient Sources on Seedling Growth of Annona Muricata Linn Dada C. A. Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology Option), Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria Kayode J. * Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria Arowosegbe S. Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria Olaniyi T. A. Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology Option), Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria Abstract The impact of nutrient sources cannot be over emphasised in plant growth. Seedlings of Annona muricata were subjected to organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers and fertilizer-free treatmentsin this study. The organic fertilizers comprises of cow dung, poultry manure and water hyacinth, while NPK fertilizer was used as the inorganic manure and Top soil without fertilizer application was used as the control. The organic fertilizers were singly used and mixed at the rate of 100kg/ha and 200kg/ha while the inorganic fertilizer was used at the rate 100kg/ha and 200kg/ha. The parameters taken were plant height, stem girth, leaf area and leaf production. Results obtained showed that poultry manure produced the tallest plants (23.50cm) at 3months after transplanting though this was not significantly different from those of cow dung manure (23.00cm). NPK fertilizer produced the plant with highest leaf area (32.75cm) and stem girth (2.25cm) at 3 months after transplanting and was not significantly different from the organic fertilizers (Poultry manure 200g/ha, Cow dung 200g/ha, Water hyacinth 100g/ha and 200g/ha). NPK fertilizer also produced the highest number of leaves at the end of the three month assessment (31.00cm). All the growth parameters observed showed that the control experiment gave the least performance. The results obtained tend to suggest that the use of NPK fertilizer should be recommended for growing Annona muricata and improvement of the soil nutrients level. Keywords: Nutrient sources; Seedling growth; Annona muricata. CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 1. Introduction A nutrient is a substance used by an organism to survive, grow, and reproduce [1]. Plant nutrients consist of more than a dozen minerals absorbed through roots, plus carbon dioxide and oxygen absorbed or released through leaves. All organisms obtain all their nutrients from the surrounding environment [2]. The soil supplies nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulphur [3]; these are often called the macronutrients. Also it supplies iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum, copper, zinc, chlorine, and cobalt, in small proportions, these are called micronutrients. Plants absorb carbon, hydrogen and oxygen from air in form of water and carbon dioxide [4, 5]. Thus, nutrients must be available not only in sufficient amounts but also in appropriate ratios [6]. Fertilizer recommendation for soils and crops is a dynamic process in view of the generation of the new knowledge, changes in soil nutrient status, changes in plants and planting patterns and associated management practices. Gathering the appropriate information on maintaining adequate soil nursery fertility into a single publication has been attempted many times in the past [7] and undoubtedly will be necessary again as conditions change and new information becomes available, Such specific information are very much important for producing better seedlings. Failure to manage nursery soil adequately can result in depletion of site quality [8] and a reduction of seedling growth [9]. Organic fertilizers are usually (recycled) plant- or animal-derived matter while inorganic fertilizers are sometimes called synthetic fertilizers since various chemical treatments are required for their manufacture [10]. Soursop (Annona muricata) is a slender, small, and cold-intolerant tree, generally reaching heights of 4–6 meters (13–20 feet); it flowers can bear fruit 3–5 years after planting. Leaves are glossy, dark green, and generally evergreen, with a distinctive odor [11]. The seeds and many parts of A. muricata are used in traditional medicine [12-14]. Badrie and Schauss [15] reported some of its uses in traditional Indian medicine as well as in Jamaica, Haiti, Brazil, the Peruvian Amazon for the treatment of kidney problems, fever, nervousness, ulcers and wounds, with antispasmodic, antidysenteric, and parasiticidal activity, for fever, its bark as tonic, roots as antispasmodic and parasiticidal, its flowers as bechic (relieving coughs), unripe fruit as antiscrobutic; and seeds as insecticidal, astringent, and as a fish-poison. In addition to the health benefits, soursop along with other members of the Annonaceae family) also contains small amounts of neurotoxic alkaloids, such as annonacin, which appear to be linked to a typical parkinsonism and