The main effect of poultry manure on soil physico-chemical properties, leaf nutrients contents and yield of yam (Dioscorea rotundata) was investigated in a factorial experiment involving tillage at five levels- ploughing, ploughing plus harrowing, manual ridging, manual heaping and zero-tillage; poultry manure at 0 t/ha and 10 t/ha laid out in a split-plot design at two locations in Ondo, Nigeria. The data obtained indicated that poultry manure application improved soil physical properties; it reduced soil bulk density, temperature and also increased total porosity and soil moisture retention capacity. It also, improved soil organic matter, total N, available P, exchangeable Mg, Ca, K and lowered exchange acidity. It also increased nutrient uptake, growth and yield of yam significantly. The use of poultry manure in crop production is recommended as it will ensure stability of soil structure; improve soil organic matter status, nutrients availability and high crop yield. (Journal of American Science 2010;6(10):871-878). (ISSN: 1545-1003).

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Effect of Poultry Manure on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties, Leaf Nutrient Contents and Yield of Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) on Alfisol in Southwestern Nigeria.

Cocoa pod husk (CPH) is the main by-product (ca. 70–75% weight of whole fruit) of the cocoa harvest, an important and economic crop in developing countries. It is a rich source of minerals (particularly potassium), fibre (including lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin) and antioxidants (e.g. phenolic acids). An existing practise is the return of CPH to soil with potential benefits (or disadvantages) for cocoa productivity and soil sustainability that have not been fully characterised. Currently, alternative low-value applications of CPH include its use as animal feed, as a starting material for soap making and activated carbon. Other biotechnological valorisation potentials for CPH and its fractions include the production of bio-fuels and their incorporation in food systems. Physical, chemical or biological pre-treatment approaches are needed in order to achieve desirable fractions in a cost-effective and sustainable manner for novel applications in food and non-food sectors.

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Valorisation strategies for cocoa pod husk and its fractions

Land application of rice husk ash, bagasse ash and coal fly ash: Effects on crop productivity and nutrient uptake in rice–wheat system on an alkaline loamy sand

Nitrogen (N) fertilizers are needed to enhance maize (Zea mays L.) production. Maize plays a major role in the livestock industry, biofuels, and human nutrition. Globally, less than one-half of applied N is recovered by maize. Although the application of N fertilizer can improve maize yield, excess N application due to low knowledge of the mechanisms of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) poses serious threats to environmental sustainability. Increased environmental consciousness and an ever-increasing human population necessitate improved N utilization strategies in maize production. Enhanced understanding of the relationship between maize growth and productivity and the dynamics of maize N recovery are of major significance. A better understanding of the metabolic and genetic control of N acquisition and remobilization during vegetative and reproductive phases are important to improve maize productivity and to avoid excessive use of N fertilizers. Synchronizing the N supply with maize N demand throughout the growing season is key to improving NUE and reducing N loss to the environment. This review examines the mechanisms of N use in maize to provide a basis for driving innovations to improve NUE and reduce risks of negative environmental impacts.

Mechanisms of Nitrogen Use in Maize

Many Researchers have shown that neither mineral fertilizers nor organic manures are a panacea for soil fertility management in Nigeria. This has led to the innovation of organomineral fertilizer which combines the attribute of both mineral and organic fertilizers. Field experiments were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to compare the effect of industrial manufactured organic (OG) fertilizer and organomineral fertilizer (OMF) at the rate of 0, 2.5 and 10t/ha; and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (NPK) at the rate of 300kg/ha on soil chemical properties, nutrient uptake, growth and yield of maize in Ondo, Southwestern Nigeria. The treatments were laid out in randomized complete Block Design with four replications and with plots size of 5m×5m. Compared with control, OG, OMF and NPK fertilizers significantly (P <0.05) increased plant N,P, K, Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn Also compared with control, Organic fertilizer (OM), Organomineral fertilizer (OMF) and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer at all rates significantly increased (P <0.05) maize plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, Stover yield, root dry matter and grain yield. The percent increases in cumulative grain yield were 5t/ha OMF (68.31), 2.5t/ha OMF (60.21), 10t/ha OMF (38.72), 10t/ha OG (49.65) 300kg/ha NPK (12.13), 5t/ha OG (9.51), 2.5t/ha OG (5.63) compared with control. Organic and organomineral fertilizers at low level of application could be used to increase plant nutrients as well as maize production in south western Nigeria.

Comparative effect of organic, organomineral and mineral fertilizers on soil properties, nutrient uptake, growth and yield of maize (Zea Mays)

A field study was conducted on the separate and combined effect of two agrowastes namely:Cocoa pod ash and poultry manure on soil fertility, nutrient content, growth and grain yield of maize on an Alfisol in Southwest Nigeria. Separate and combined effects of the materials were investigated at application rates of 0, 5 and 10t/ha given nine treatments. The effect of treatments on the first crop and residual effect on the second crop was studied. The test soil was low in organic matter (OM), N, P, K, Ca and Zn. Poultry manure had lower C:N ratio and higher N, P, Mg, Fe and Mn concentrations compared with cocoa pod ash which had higher K and Ca concentrations. Cocoa pod ash and poultry manure increased significantly soil OM, soil and maize macro and micro nutrients content on immediate and residual basis. The two materials have cumulative and complementary effect on soil nutrients and nutrient uptake. While poultry manure gave higher values of soil N, P, Ca and Mg and plant N, P, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn than cocoa pod ash, ash gave higher values of soil Cu, Zn, and Mn and plant K and Ca. Plant N, P, K, Zn and Fe increased with level of poultry manure. The ash and poultry manure increased dry matter yield, height and grain yield of maize significantly, although poultry manure gave higher yield than ash at the same rate. The ash at 5 and 10t/ha increased grain yield by 20 and 31% respectively on immediate basis and by 34 and 74% on residual basis. Poultry manure at 5 and 10t/ha increased yield by 39 and 43% respectively on immediate basis, and 73 and 93% on residual basis. Combination of 5t/ha cocoa pod ash with poultry manure at 10 and 5t/ha respectively gave highest cumulative yield of 6.51 and 5.58t/ha.

B. S. Ewulo

Papers

Comparative and cumulative effect of cocoa pod husk ash and poultry manure on soil and maize nutrient contents and yield.