Abstract
PurposeThis research work described the effect of organic waste (poultry manure) on soil cumulative infiltration rate (CIR), soil organic matter (SOM), and maize performance on two contrasting alfisols of southwestern Nigeria.MethodsSix treatments of poultry manure were applied in split at 0 Mg/ha, 2 Mg/ha, 4 Mg/ha, 6 Mg/ha, 8 Mg/ha, and 10 Mg/ha, in replicate under a completely randomized design to clay loam (CL) and sandy clay loam (SCL) soils, at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after the initial application.ResultsThe results showed significant increases (P < 0.05) in CIR, SOM, and maize performance compared to the control in both soils. Poultry manure at 10 Mg/ha recorded the highest SOM which was significantly (P < 0.05) different from other application rates in both soils. The mean values for SOM in SCL were between 0.67 and 3.75% for 0 Mg/ha and 10 Mg/ha, while the mean values recorded for CL were between 0.80 and 4.35% at 0 Mg/ha and 10 Mg/ha. Poultry manure reduced CIR in the SCL, but improved CIR with increasing rates on CL. Poultry manure at 4–10 Mg/ha increased the maize shoot biomass significantly (P < 0.05). However, the application rate of 6 Mg/ha manure recorded the highest fresh shoot biomass, while 8 Mg/ha increased dry shoot biomass in both soils.ConclusionThis study indicated that poultry manure applied at 10 Mg/ha gave the best results in improving CIR, SOM, and maize performance on different soil types.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a cereal crop grown mainly in a developing country like Nigeria which provides a source of income to the large population of small holder farmers
Esu (2005), in his findings on Nigerian soils observed that organic matter serves as a binding agent of soil particles into aggregates, promoting a good soil structure which results in good drainage, while Pagliai et al (2004) added that the improvement of soil structure can be achieved by organic fertilizer application through the protection of the soil surface and the maintenance of continuous transmission pores through the profile
The study has shown that the use of poultry manure as organic amendment applied at 10 Mg/ha can increase soil organic matter content and improve the soil water infiltration rate, biomass and maize performance of a physically degraded alfisol regardless of soil types
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a cereal crop grown mainly in a developing country like Nigeria which provides a source of income to the large population of small holder farmers. There was a reduction in water movement as observed by Mubarak et al (2009) in sandy soils when organic residues were added, while Martens and Frankenberger (1992) found that additions of poultry manure to soil resulted in significantly increased (18%) cumulative water infiltration rates compared to the control. Other factors such as texture, crust, compaction, aggregation, structure, water content, pores, and microorganisms could affect soil water infiltration rates negatively.
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