ELEMENTAL AND MINERAL VARIATION OF AMENDED SOIL FOR PALM SEEDLING GROWTH

Abstract

Palm oil mill sludge (POMS) is generated in great amount in Nigeria and often regarded as pollutant and waste material. This study is aimed at utilizing POMS for growing oil palm seedlings. The POMS was naturally stabilized for 25, 50, 75 and 100 days. Four different treatments (POMS: Soil ratio) were performed to evaluate the effect of stabilization on the growth of oil palm seedlings. It was found that the stabilization period has great influence on the nutrient parameters of the soil which led to a corresponding growth of the oil palm seedlings. It was found that the percentage of Nitrogen and Phosphorus increased from 0.19 % at day zero to 0.51 % at day 100 and 0.12 % at day zero to 0.36 % at day 100 respectively. The C:N ratios of the POMS gradually decrease with increase in the stabilization period, from 44.71 at day zero to 12.92 at day 100. The level of metals in the POMS ranged from 0.52 – 0.59, 0.34 – 0.40, 6.23 – 7.02 and 3.98 – 4.34 meq/100 g of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium respectively. The levels of these metals were not greatly affected by the stabilization period. There was a gradual increase in the height of the plant as the stabilization period increased. 100 days stabilized POMS was found to have the highest plant height of 66.20 cm at 15 % amendment. Application of POMS in agricultural practices may offer a sustainable option in managing pam oil mill sludge.