Effect Of Palm Oil Mill Effluent On Physical And Chemical Properties Of Soil, Germination And Growth Of Maize (Zea Mays) In South Eastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT

A greenhouse experiment was conducted at Michael Okpara university of Agriculture, umudike, Abia state to determine the effect of palm oil mill effluent on soil physical and chemical properties, germination and the growth of maize (Zea mays) in an experiment laid out in a completely randomized design with four replicates. Six (6) rates of the effluent 0%, 10%.20%, 30%, 40%, 50 %( w/w) per kg of soil in each bucket were used. Results of the effluent analysis revealed that the effluent had effect on some chemical and physical properties as well as the growth of maize. The nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, organic matter and exchangeable acidity were raised whereas sodium and magnesium decreased. Also plant heights, number of leaves, stem girth, leaf area were depressed. There was no much change on the texture. Plant tissue was analyzed for magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and calcium. Based on this study, since the control showed a positive effect, it is recommended that the effluent should be treated to reduce the toxic substance in palm oil mill effluent.