in the form of farmyard manures and

in the form of farmyard manures and fertilizer has become imperative. Farmyard manure has been used as a soil conditioner since ancient times and its benefit have not been fully harnessed due to large quantities required in order to satisfy the nutritional needs of crops (Makindeet al., 2007). The need for renewable forms of energy and reduced cost of fertilizing crops, have revived the use of organic manures worldwide (Ayoola and Adeniran,2006). Improvement in environmental conditions and public health are important reasons for advocating increased use of organic materials (Ojeniyi, 2000; Maritus

and Vleic, 2001). However, because it is bulky, the cost of transportation and handling constitute a constraint to its use by peasant farmers.

Farmyard manure release nutrients slowly and steadily and activates soil microbial biomass (Ayuso et al., 1996;Belay et al., 2001). Organic manures can sustain cropping systems through better nutrient recycling and improvement of soil physical attributes (El-Shakweer etal., 1998). The use of inorganic fertilizer has not been helpful under intensive agriculture because of its high cost and it is often associated with reduced crop yields,soil degradation, nutrient imbalance and acidity (Kangand Juo, 1980; Obi and Ebo, 1995).