Effects of rice husk and cassava mill effluent compost on upland rice cultivation in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Low rice yields in Nigeria are attributed to poor soil fertility. Inorganic fertilizers used to improve soil fertility are expensive and not readily available. This work aimed at evaluating the nutrient potential of rice husk and cassava effluent compost for production of rice in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. Four formulations were made with rice husk (RH) and cow dung in ratio 7:3 by weight using water and cassava effluent [RH with water (RH), RH + cow dung with water (RHCd), RH with cassava effluent (RHC), RH + cow dung with cassava effluent (RHCdC)] and were applied at 2.5, 5 and 10 t/ha with control. Rice seeds were sown for two years in a randomized complete block design. Residual effects were monitored in the third year. Plant height (PH), leaf area (LA), dry matter (DM) and rice grain yield (GY) were measured as well as soil samples were taken for post-cropping analysis. Data were analyzed with ANOVA at α0.05. The results revealed that treatment RHCd at 10 t/ha had highest PH and LA while RHCdC at 10 t/ha produced the highest DM and GY in both years and in residual study. Treatment RHCdC at 10 t/ha had the highest soil pH value, organic carbon and RHCd at 10 t/ha had the highest total nitrogen at harvest in second year. Both treatments increased soil nutrients at harvest than other treatments and improved soil fertility. Keywords: Soil amendment, cow dung, organic fertilizer, rice yield, Abraka.