Abstract
In tropical and subtropical areas, the importance of organic manure in improving soil physico-chemical properties and crop production for food security cannot be overemphasized. A study was conducted during 2012/2013 crop years, to investigate the effects of rumen digesta on the physical and chemical properties of soil in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from Opi, Nsukka and treated to four rates of rumen digesta (viz. 0, 50, 100, and 150 gkg -1 soils). Physical and chemical properties of the soil were determined pre and post-experiment. The results obtained revealed that rumen digesta significantly (p = 0.05) increased the mean weight diameter (0.49 to 1.75 mm), aggregate stability (54.7% to 75.3%), soil pH (3.8 to 7.8), total nitrogen (0.01% to 0.02%), exchangeable sodium and potassium (0.22 to 4.39 cmolkg -1 for Na + and 0.30 to 4.31 cmolkg -1 for K + ), CEC (7.2 to 14.9 cmolkg -1 ) and organic matter content (0.97% to 4.29%). It had no significant effect on the texture, micro-aggregate (measured as dispersion ratio), exchangeable calcium and magnesium content of the soils. The study found significant reduction in the exchangeable aluminum (1.5 to 0.0 cmolkg -1 ) and hydrogen (3.7 to 2.2 cmolkg -1 ) contents of the soils. Farmers can therefore improve the physical and chemical properties of soils by using rumen digesta as an alternative liming material. Keywords : Rumen digesta, soil properties, fertilizer use, Nsukka-Nigeria
Highlights
IntroductionThe use of organic manures (especially ruminant dung, poultry droppings, household refuse and effluents) for crop production is an agelong agricultural practice among the subsistence farming communities in West African subregion (Lombin et al, 1991)
The use of organic manures for crop production is an agelong agricultural practice among the subsistence farming communities in West African subregion (Lombin et al, 1991)
Results of the study revealed that rumen digesta significantly increased the mean-weight diameter (MWD), aggregate stability (AS), soil pH, total nitrogen (TN), exchangeable sodium (Na), exchangeable potassium (K), effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) and organic matter content of the studied soil
Summary
The use of organic manures (especially ruminant dung, poultry droppings, household refuse and effluents) for crop production is an agelong agricultural practice among the subsistence farming communities in West African subregion (Lombin et al, 1991). In many developing countries like Nigeria, the likelihood of obtaining enough synthetic fertilizers to meet the food crop requirement of the teeming farming population is remote. Farmers in the tropics and the subtropics have been forced to eliminate fallow periods and rely on synthetic fertilizers. These practices (reduction in fallow periods and increased use of synthetic fertilizers) have lead to the increment in land degradation and decline of crop productivity. These practices (reduction in fallow periods and increased use of synthetic fertilizers) have lead to the increment in land degradation and decline of crop productivity. Odu and Mba (1991) stated that inorganic fertilize supply nutrients alone, while organic manures supply nutrient elements through microbial activities and help in improving the soil physico-chemical properties
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