ABSTRACT
The effects of application of abattoir effluent on soil microbiological properties and vegetative traits of flint maize were investigated in pot experiments under screen-house conditions at Ambrose Alli University Teaching and Research Farm, Ekpoma, Nigeria. The effluent was applied to 10kg of soil at the rate of 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800ml per bag to give equivalents of 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80ml/kg of soil. The treatments were fitted into a complete randomized design (CRD) and replicated three times. The physical and chemical properties of the soil as well as the chemical properties of the effluents were determined before the experiment. The number and types of microorganisms present were also determined in the effluent and soil before and at 8 weeks after application. Growth parameters were taken at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after planting (WAP). Results showed that the effluent was slightly acidic (pH = 6.7), while bacteria and fungi populations decreased in the soil at 8 weeks after application. The total viable bacterial counts in the effluent was 3.5 x 106 cfu/ml, while values in the soil before application and at 8 weeks after application were 5.5 x 106 cfu/g and 3.7 x 106 cfu/g respectively. For fungi in the effluent, a count of 1.2 x 106 cfu/ml was recorded while that in the soil before application was 8 x 105 cfu/g. At 8 weeks after application to the soil, a count of 2.0 x 106 cfu/ml was recorded. The bacteria isolated included Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella edwarsii and Proteus mirabilis, while fungal isolates were identified as Penicillum notatum, Aspergillus niger, Candida spp. and Trychophyton metagrophte. Abattoir effluent significantly increased leaf area, number of leaves and plant height at all the WAP compared to the control. |
