Cocoa Pod Husk Ash Research Articles

Evaluation of selected burnt plant residues and mineral fertilizers on soil properties and nutrient uptake and growth parameters of oil palm seedlings

Oil palm seeds are difficult to grow due to poor viability; that is why they are raised in nursery. Addition of right and adequate fertilizer is needed to improve soil fertility. Thus, an experiment was conducted in 2022 to compare the effect of empty palm bunch (EPBA) ash, cocoa pod husk ash (CPHA), kola pod husk ash (KPHA), NPK 20:10:10, urea, calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and muriate of potash (MOP) fertilizers on soil properties, nutrients uptake and growth parameters of oil palm seedlings in Ondo, southwestern Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from Adeyemi Federal University of Education oil palm plantation. Each of the dried empty palm bunch, kola pod husk and cocoa pod husk was burnt and applied as treatments at the rate of 0, 2, 4 and 6 g 900-g−1 soil while NPK 20:10:10, urea, MOP and CAN fertilizers were individually applied at 2 g 900-g−1 soil. The 16 treatments were replicated four times and arranged in completely randomized design. A 900 g of soil was put in each poly pot and planted with Tenera variety of oil palm and watered with 50 cl water daily. The native soil used for the experiment was deficient in major nutrients and adequate in minor nutrients. Relative to the control, application of 2, 4 and 6 g ash types significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, root length and plant girth. NPK, recorded the highest increase in plant height. Leaf length and root length were highest with the application of 6 g KPHA. Application of 6 g EPBA recorded the highest biomass, dry and wet weight and seedlings moisture content. Kola pod husk ash applied at 6 g plant−1. Empty palm bunch ash applied at 6 g plant−1 and cocoa pod husk ash applied at 4 g plant−1 compared favourably with mineral fertilizers in raising vigorous and healthy oil palm seedlings.

Effect of rhizopus stolonifer fermented cocoa pod husk meal supplemented with enzyme on growth performance, heamato-biochemical indices and sexual maturity of pullet chicken

Effect of rhizopus stolonifer fermented cocoa pod husk meal supplemented with enzyme on growth performance, heamato-biochemical indices and sexual maturity of pullet chicken

Effect of Pretreating Poultry Wastes with Cocoa Pod Husk Ash and Cassava Peel Ash on Biogas Production

The effect of addition of cocoa pod husk ash and cassava peel ash on biogas production from poultry waste was investigated. Three metallic floating drum digesters each of 36.5 L capacity and labeled A, B, and C were used. Digester A contained poultry waste only, B contained poultry waste blended with cocoa pod husk ash and C contained poultry waste blended with cassava peel ash. Biodigestion of the wastes in the three digesters was carried out simultaneously using a retention period of 41 days. The mass of poultry waste used in each of the three digesters was 20700 g. The biogas yield results showed that 13,977 cm3 of gas was produced in digester A, while 19,517 and 21,305 cm3 were produced in B and C respectively. When compare with digester A (control), addition of cocoa pod ash and cassava peel ash had increased biogas production by 39.63 and 52.43% respectively.Keywords— Cocoa pod husk, cassava peel, biogas, floating drum, digester, poultry waste

Multi-objective optimization studies of microalgae dewatering by utilizing bio-based alkali: a case study of response surface methodology (RSM) and genetic algorithm (GA)

In the present study, the flocculating viability of bio-based alkali derived from cocoa pod husk ash was investigated by using a D-optimal design of the response surface methodology (RSM). The interactive effects of biomass concentration and flocculant dose on flocculation efficiency and concentration factors were examined. The generalization ability of modeling and predictive tools such as RSM and artificial neural network (ANN) was also examined. Moreso, the flocculation process was optimized using RSM and response surface methodology coupled with genetic algorithm (RSM-GA). The flocculation process results showed that the bio-based alkali effectively flocculated microalgae with more than 90% flocculation efficiency at the optimum condition predicted by RSM and RSM-GA. Both RSM and ANN have described the flocculation process with high accuracy, based on the values of statistical indices evaluated but ANN has demonstrated a higher generalization potential as compared to RSM. The results of elemental analysis of the bio-based alkali shown that the concentration of K+ (51,489 ppm) was highest, followed by Ca2+ (1450 ppm) and Na+ (210 ppm). This undoubtedly showed the alkaline nature of the bio-based alkali obtained from cocoa pod husk ash that was employed as the flocculant for harvesting microalgae. This study confirms that ash derived alkali can be used to effectively and efficiently harvest microalgae.

Effect of sole and combined application of cocoa pod husk ash and cocoa pod husk powder on growth and yield of radish (Raphanus sativus)

This study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Landmark University, Omu-Aran. Treatments consisted of 3 levels of cocoa pod husk ash (0, 2 and 4 tonnes CPHA ha-1), 3 levels of cocoa pod husk powder (0, 2 and 4 tonnes CPHP ha-1), NPK and the control. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated four times. The following parameters were taken plant height, number of leaves (at 2, 3, and 4 weeks after sowing), total plant weight, root weight, leaf weight, roots girth and roots length. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Using S.A.S, 2000. Treatment means were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 0.05 level of probability. Results showed that chemical analysis of cocoa pod ash and powder contained plant nutrients as N, P, K, Ca, Mg and some other micronutrients in varying proportions. Application of CPHA 4 + CPHP 2 gave higher values for all the vegetative parameters. The implication of this study is that high level of cocoa pod husk powder in combination with high level of cocoa pod husk ash is detrimental to radish cultivation. In the same vein, the nutrition of radish was incomplete when NPK fertilizer was applied. It can therefore be recommended that the use of combined application of cocoa pod ash and cocoa pod powder at CPHA4 + CPHP2 was sufficient for the cultivation of radish (Raphanus sativus) in the study area as it compete favorably with application of NPK fertilizer.

Effect of sole and combined application of cocoa pod husk ash and cocoa pod husk powder on growth and yield of raddish (raphanus sativus)

This study was carried out at the Teaching and Research farm Landmark University, Omu-Aran. Treatments consisted of 3 levels of cocoa pod husk ash (0, 2 and 4 tonnes CPHA ha-1), 3 levels of cocoa pod husk powder (0, 2 and 4 tonnes CPHP ha-1), NPK and the control. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated four times. The following parameters were taken plant height, number of leaves (at 2, 3, and 4 weeks after sowing), total plant weight, root weight, leaf weight, roots girth and roots length. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Using S.A.S, 2000. Treatment means were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 0.05 level of probability. Results showed that chemical analysis of cocoa pod ash and powder contained plant nutrients as N, P, K, Ca, Mg and some other micronutrients in varying proportions. Application of CPHA 4 CPHP 2 gave higher values for all the vegetative parameters. The implication of this study is that high level of cocoa pod husk powder in combination with high level of cocoa pod husk ash is detrimental to radish cultivation. In the same vein, the nutrition of radish was incomplete when NPK fertilizer was applied. It can therefore be recommended that the use of combined application of cocoa pod ash and cocoa pod powder at CPHA4 + CPHP2 was sufficient for the cultivation of radish (Raphanus sativus) in the study area as it compete favourably with application of NPK fertilizer.

Alkaline extraction of seaweed carrageenan hydrocolloids using cocoa pod husk ash

The cocoa industry in Ghana is the second largest in the world, and it generates huge amounts of cocoa pod husks, which currently represent a disposal problem as no significant use has been found for them. The husks are rich in potassium, which may be used for alkaline hydrocolloid extraction from red seaweeds. Chemical and rheological properties of κ-carrageenan from Kappaphycus alvarezii and the Ghanaian red seaweed Hypnea musciformis extracted by KOH (benchmark) or by a cocoa pod husk ash solution were compared. Similar extraction yields and successful modification of the seaweed hydrocolloids with 3,6-anhydro-galactopyranose and sulfate contents of 37–38 and 16–17%, respectively, were obtained with cocoa pod husk ash and KOH extraction. Gel strengths of the κ-carrageenans were also similar: G′ at 25 °C were 5780 Pa with cocoa pod husk ash and 5930 Pa with KOH. These findings have implications for industrial waste biomass utilization and sustainable green growth development of seaweed hydrocolloid processing in Ghana.

Application of Agricultural Waste-Based Catalysts to Transesterification of Esterified Palm Kernel Oil into Biodiesel: A Case of Banana Fruit Peel Versus Cocoa Pod Husk

This study aimed at modeling and optimizing the production of fatty acid methyl esters from esterified palm kernel oil using two heterogeneous biowaste catalysts namely calcined banana peel ash (CBPA) and calcined cocoa pod husk ash (CCPHA). The central composite design of response surface methodology (RSM) was employed for investigating the individual and interactive effects of the process input variables (methanol/oil ratio, catalyst weight and reaction time) on the palm kernel oil methyl esters (PKOME) yield. The same optimal conditions (methanol/oil ratio 0.8 v/v, catalyst weight 4 wt% and reaction time 65 min) were predicted by RSM for the transesterification reaction catalyzed by CBPA and CCPHA at constant temperature of 65 °C. The observed PKOME yields under the optimal condition using the two catalysts were 99.5 and 99.3 wt% for CBPA and CCPHA, respectively. The developed quadratic models were appraised using different statistical indicators such as coefficient of determination (R2) and average absolute deviation (AAD). R2 of 0.9064 and 0.8245 and AAD of 0.5526 and 0.6901 computed for CBPA and CCPHA-catalyzed transesterification reactions, respectively, showed both models gave good predictions. In both cases, methanol/oil ratio was the most significant factor on the PKOME yield. The PKOME produced using the two catalysts satisfied both the ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standard specifications. Both banana fruit peel and cocoa pod husk could adequately serve as low-cost feedstock for PKOME synthesis.

Two-Step Conversion of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Seed Oil into Fatty Methyl Esters Using a Heterogeneous Biomass-Based Catalyst: An Example of Cocoa Pod Husk

In this study, the viability of using calcined cocoa pod husk ash (CCPHA) as a catalyst for the transesterification of neem seed oil (NSO) into biodiesel was investigated. Prior to transesterification to biodiesel, the oil was pretreated with Fe2(SO4)3 via esterification to reduce its high acid value content. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) and central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) were used to investigate the individual and interactive effects of the methanol/oil ratio, catalyst amount, and reaction time on the acid value and biodiesel yield, respectively. Results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and elemental analysis showed that the catalytic action of the CCPHA produced was due to its K content and microstructural development when calcined at 700 °C for 4 h. The acid value of the NSO could be reduced from 11.57 to 1.80 mg of KOH/g of oil using optimum values of the methanol/oil ratio of 2.19 (v/v), catalyst a...

Effects of agricultural wastes ash on nutrients concentration and yield of maize (Zea mays l) in Haplic Acrisol of Southeastern Nigeria

Field trials and a pot experiment were conducted during the 2005 and 2006 cropping seasons at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria, to assess the effect of various agricultural wastes ash on nutrient concentration, growth and yield of maize in a Haplic Acrisol. The treatments comprised palm bunch ash, kitchen residues ash, cocoa pod husk ash, saw dust ash, calcium carbonate, oyster shell ash and a control. Each of the ash was applied at five levels: 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 tonnes per hectare. They were replicated three times in a split plot completely randomized design for the pot experiment and randomized completely block design for the field trials. The effects of the treatments were measured on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and manganese and iron concentration in maize crop. Other plant parameters measured were maize height at 8 weeks after planting, stem diameter, stover weight and grain yield weight in the field trails. The results obtained showed that all the agricultural wastes significantly (P < 0.05) increased the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium. They also significantly (p<0.05) reduced the concentration of iron and manganese in the plant. The wastes applied significantly increased the plant height at 8 WAP, maize stem diameter, stover weight and grain yield. Among the treatments tested, 6t/ha of cocoa pod husk ash significantly (P<0.05) increased nitrogen concentration in the maize from 0.49 in the control to 5.17%. Plant height, stem diameter and stover weight were also increased by the application of 6t/ha of cocoa pod husk ash. While 4t/ha of kitchen residue ash, 4t/ha of oyster shell ash and 4 t/ha of cocoa pod husk ash significantly (P<0.05) increased the concentration of phosphorus from 1.01% to 4.98%, calcium from 0.4% to 6% and potassium from 0.19% to 0.42% respectively. The soil pH correlated negatively with iron and manganese concentration, positively with phosphorus and calcium concentration. These results show that maize can be grown successfully on Haplic Acrisol of the Southeastern Nigeria using waste from agricultural products. Key words: Agricultural wastes ash, nutrient concentration, growth, grain yield, HaplicAcrisol

Haematological responses of layer chickens fed with diets containing pito mash treated with cocoa pod-husk ash extract

Haematological responses of layer chickens fed with diets containing pito mash treated with cocoa pod-husk ash extract

Assessing the Performance Characteristics of Chicken Layers Fed with Pito Mash Inclusion Diets Treated with Cocoa Pod-Husk Ash Extract

2 Abstract: A nutritional balance trial was conducted, with 176 strain of Lohmann breed of brown layers at 8 weeks old, weighing between 340-341 g. The chickens were grouped into 4 dietary treatments of 4 4 chickens per group. A complete randomized design (CRD) was applied in which the dietary treatments included 0, 5, 10 and 15% level of the alkali-treated pito mash. Feed and water were provided ad libitum over the 11-month experimental period. The parameters measured were body weight changes, feed intake, water intake, hen-day egg production, hen-housed egg production, feed conversion ratio (kg/dozen egg), age at the onset of e gg production, body weight at the onset of egg laying, weight of the first egg laid, shell thickness, number of broken egg, yolk colour, yolk diameter, albumen height, Haugh unit and mortality rate. Results showed that apart from body weight at the start of feed trial, feed/dozen eggs and body weight at the onset of egg laying, shell thickness and mortality of chickens, all the alkali-treated pito mash based diets exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher performances than the control group in all the other parameters considered, although at varying magnitudes. The costs/100 kg grower and layer diets were progressively reduced as the level of treated pito mash increased in the diets. Alkali-treated pito mash inclusion in grower and layer chicken diets up to 15% is therefore recommended.

English

A nursery experiment was carried out in Akure (rain forest zone), south-western Nigeria to study relative effect(s) of some organic wastes as fertilizers on growth performance, soil and leaf chemical composition of cocoa seedlings (Theobroma cacao L.) in the nursery. The experiment comprised of five treatments: Cowpea Pod Husk (CPH) (2.5 t/ha), cocoa pod husk ash (CPHA) (2.5 t/ha), kola pod husk (KPH) (2.5 t/ha), NPK15-15-15 (2.5 t/ha) and control (no fertilizer application). Each treatment was applied to 2.5 kg of soil filled polythene bags containing cocoa seedlings. The experiment was arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The organic wastes increased significantly (P&gt;0.05) the plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, number of leaves, fresh root and shoot weights and dry root and shoot weights of cocoa seedlings. The treatments also increased significantly (P&gt;0.05) soil and leaf N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, soil pH and organic matter (OM) content relative to the control. Kola pod husk (KPH) was the most effective in improving cocoa growth, leaf and soil chemical composition. Key words:&nbsp; Cocoa, growth, organic matter, NPK, cowpea pod husk, cocoa pod husk ash, kola pod husk.

Comparative Effects of Cocoa Pod Husk and Oil Palm Bunch Ash on Nutrient Uptake, Growth and Dry Matter Yield of Cocoa (The-obroma cacao) in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria

The high premium placed on the organically produced cocoa in the international market coupled with its health and environmental benefits necessitated recent focus on research into the use of agricultural wastes as source of nutrients in cocoa (T. cacao) production. The study was carried out at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan (Lat. 7&deg25'N Long. 3&deg25'E), South-western, Nigeria during the 2010/2011 seedling production season to compare the effects of NPK (20:10:10) fertilizer, Cocoa Pod Husk and Oil Palm Bunch Ash (CPHA and OPA) on the seedling growth and dry matter yield of cocoa (T. cacao). Equivalent amount of different rates of two nutrients sources CPHA and OPA were applied one month after planting at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 t/ha respectively, recommended rate of 10 kg·N of the conventional NPK (20:10:10). Fertilizer was used as reference fertilizer. Results indicated that all the fertilizer materials positively and significantly (p > 0.05) increased the growth parameters considered. The influence of the ash materials irrespective of sources on the nutrient uptake, dry matter yield of cocoa seedlings and shoot to root ratio were either higher than or had a comparable results with the reference fertilizer (NPK 20:10:10). CPHA and OPA applied at a rate of 4 t/ha significantly (p > 0.05) increased the plant height and root length of cocoa seedlings respectively relative to control and in—organic fertilizer and could therefore be recommended for the prospective and existing Nigerian cocoa farmers for raising their seedlings in the nursery before transplanting to the field.

Comparative effects of organic soil amendments and carbofuran on &lt;i&gt;Meloidogyne incognita&lt;/i&gt; and cacao growth

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of four organic soil amendments (cow dung, cocoa pod husk, poultry manure and wood ash) and carbofuran treatments on Meloidogyne incognita inducing root-knot disease of cacao seedlings. All soil treatments reduced the nematode population in soil and root of cacao seedlings compared to the control. Poultry manure, cow dung and cocoa pod husk accounted for a significant (p=0.05) increase in shoot-biomass production, plant height, stem girth and dry root weight, as compared to carbofuran treated plants and control, thereby exhibiting the most pronounced effect on plant growth and performance. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the use of organic amendments as a nematode disease control measures on cacao seedlings. Keywords: Organic amendments, Meloidogyne incognita, cacao seedlings, carbofuran IJOTAFS Vol. 1 (1) 2007: pp. 13-17

Comparative Effect of Cocoa Pod Husk Ash and NPK Fertilizer on Soil and Root Nutrient Content and Growth of Kola Seedling

Comparative Effect of Cocoa Pod Husk Ash and NPK Fertilizer on Soil and Root Nutrient Content and Growth of Kola Seedling

Organic waste ash as possible source of alkali for animal feed treatment

On the basis of the analytical investigations carried out on the alkali contents of some ashes obtained from agricultural wastes, it was found that 1 kg of sodium hydroxide was equivalent to 4.4 kg cocoa-pod husk (CPH) ash or 7.8 kg palm-bunch (PB) ash (without the fruits). Maize straws treated with these alkali sources were thereafter fed to West African Dwarf goats. Treatment slightly reduced the crude protein, cellulose, gross energy (except PB) and increased ash contents of feed. A significant increase in digestibility of dry and organic matter, cellulose and gross energy ( P < 0.05) of treated feed (both ashes and NaOH) over untreated were recorded. While dry matter digestibility of NaOH-treated feed was better than untreated by about 36.5%; 26.4 and 26.5% were obtained for CPH and PB ashes, respectively. Dry matter intake and digestible energy intake increased significantly ( p < 0.01), resulting in better growth rate. Average daily gain was lowest (20.1 g) for untreated straws and highest ( p < 0.01) for NaOH-treated straws (48.1 g). Goats fed CPH and PB ash-treated straws gained 41.9 and 42.3 g, respectively. A 1% level of alkali treatment produced the best growth rates. The results are discussed in relation to the utilization of these farm wastes for increased livestock production among rural farmers.