ABSTRACT
The project attempts to study the effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizer on the growth and yield of Amaranthus hybridus grown for six (6) weeks. This project was carried out at the Oyo state college of agriculture, Igboora. The treatments includes; control (no manure or NPK), NPK (500kg/ha), Cow dung (2.5t/ha), NPK(250kg/ha) + Cowdung(1.2t/ha) and treatments was replicated three (3) times, plant height, girth, leaf count, leaf area and biomass yield of Amaranthus hybridus were used as parameters measured for six (6) weeks. The result was analyzed with the use of analysis of variance and the means separated with Duncan multiple ring test at 5% level of significant. The result indicated that the application of NPK(250kg/ha)+Cow dung(1.2t/ha) of organo-mineral fertilizer produce best result in terms of height plant, leaf count, girth and biomass yield of amaranthus hybridus. Statistically, NPK(250kg/ha) + Cowdung(1.2t/ha) is therefore recommended to raise amaranthus hybridus in a low fertile soil for maximum production.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Amaranthus hybridus is an important indigenous plant for rural household in Africa. Amaranthus is one of the oldest food crop. It is now receiving attention and demands information in production and management practices under local small holders conditions. With regards to activities of Nigerian farmers on the soil, there have been a constant degradation in the soil properties like soil structure, texture and chemical composition. The constant depreciation of the soil value has resulted to vast loss nutrient needed for the increase yield of the farms crops in Nigeria.
The use of organic manure is a more practical way of improving soil fertility. It is more economical, and have a long lasting effect on the soil, when decomposed totally or partially by soil microbes (Okeke, 1991).
N.K.P Fertilizer is commonly used for improving the performance of plant (Udeogalanya, 1991). If plots are well prepared and weed prior to sowing, weeds do not usually constitute a problem because of the high population of the plants especially with vegetable production (Igbokwe, 2000). Amaranthus hybridus grows under a wide range of soil types but performs better on rich loamy soils. It is usually grown during the rainy season by many farmers. It is also grown in fadama and under irrigation during the dry season (Daramola, 2000). Amaranthus hybridus is an important vegetable widely distributed and considered as an important delicacy in the south-western area of Nigeria. Amaranthus species (African spinach) is an important leafy vegetable commonly grown across the country. Some of the species of amaranthus like amaranthus tricolor, amaranthus caudatus, amaranthus cruentus and amaranthus hybridus are found in the tropical regions such as Ghana, sierra leone, mali, Senegal and mexico. It is also thrieve well on soils with a high organic content, adequate mineral reserves are also required for its optimum yield (Tindall, 1985). The study therefore, attempt to investigate the effect of organic manure (cow dung) and inorganic fertilizer (NPK15:15:15).
1.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1. Assess the effect of organic manure (cow dung) on the growth and yield of amaranthus hybridus.
2. To evaluate the effect of inorganic fertilizer (NPK15:15:15) on the growth and yield of amaranthus hybridus
3. To examine the combined effect of organic manure (cow dung) and inorganic fertilizer (NPK15:15:15) on the growth of amaranthus hybridus.
1.2 JUSTIFICATION Most farmers in Nigeria are financially depressed and find it quite impossible to purchase the mineral fertilizer at high prices while the rich constantly face the problem of unavailability of fertilizers However, the application of cow dung to the soil on the other hand is highly advantageous to the soil once it has under gone partial or total decomposition in the soil. Apart from the fixation of nitrogen into the soil, a rich source of potassium is muriate of potash (Potassium chloride), which is generally ground up and treated with chemicals. Amaranthus hybridus is a well known herb widely grown in Nigeria and some other tropical countries. It is majorly consumed as a delicacy and used for highly medicinal in nature. The project therefore attempt to meet the protein needs of the society and improve farmers condition.