Use of poultry manure for amendment of oil-polluted soils in relation to growth of maize ( Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The use of poultry manure for amelioration of oil-polluted soil was investigated by growing maize ( Zea mays L.) under two experimental conditions: increasing the poultry manure rate from 0–20 kg ha −1 at 0.03 L/kg oil treatment level; and increasing the rate of oil treatment from 0 – 0.2 L/kg, while the poultry manure amendment remained at 20 kg ha −1. A linear correlation existed between the rate of poultry manure added and the enhancement of maize growth (r = 0.99). But only a 16-kg ha −1 poultry manure rate and above exerted some beneficial effects on the maize growth relative to the unpolluted, unamended soil. Conversely, increasing oil concentration, regardless of the poultry manure level added (20 kg ha −1), depressed maize growth, but only at oil levels of 0.03 L/kg. A positive correlation was recorded between maize height and leaf area growing in oil-treated soil (0.03 L/kg) amended with different poultry manure rates (r = 0.99) and growing in oil-treated soils (0 – 0.2 L/kg) amended with 20 kg ha −1 poultry manure (r = 0.90). Amending oil-contaminated soils with poultry manure, should possibly improve soil fertility and maize production.