ABSTRACT
The residual effects of abattoir effluent (ABAE) on soil microbiological composition
and yield of maize were investigated in the Teaching and Research Farm of Ambrose
Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. ABAE with treatment rates of 0, 2.025,
4.050, 8.100 and 12.150 L/ha were fitted into a completely randomized design with
three replicates. The physical and chemical properties of the soil as well as the
chemical properties of the effluent were determined before the experiment. The
abattoir effluent and the soil were also analyzed for their microbiological properties
(bacteria and fungi). Maize variety, Suwan-1, was used as a test crop and sown
twice. Results obtained showed that the initial effect of abattoir effluent was
significant on grain yield with the highest value of 6.82 tons/ha obtained at 4.050
L/ha. Residually, abattoir effluent had no significant influence on the yield of maize.
However, the highest residual yield of1.39 tons/ha was obtained at 8.100L/ha of
ABAE. The number of bacteria and fungi species in soil increased with increased
rate of the effluent application. Total bacterial and fungal counts were higher in the
initial effluent-affected soils than that of the residual. However, Bacillus and
Aspergillus species were present at the initial stage while Bacillus and Candida
species were present at the residual stage. It was concluded that abattoir effluent is
a good source of organic manure which also contains microorganisms that assist in
boosting the fertility of the soil for crop production. |
KEYWORDS : |
abattoir effluent, initial effects, residual effects, physico-chemical
properties, microbiological properties |
