Inorganic Fertilzer, Vermicompost and Water Quality Effect on Vegetable Farming Along The River Banks.

Abstract

Inorganic fertilizer , vermicompost and water are a  usual application on vegetable  farming  along river banks in order to boost its  production , issues however arising of interest from these three are highlighted in this work on river Benue river bank vegetable farming . Vermicompost a  heterogeneous mixture of decomposing  materials in a dust bin ( vegetables , Tea  bags , grains , bread, crackers ,  cereals  , eggshells , Leaves and grass clippings )   composting using various worms developed within it from flies  showed  that in 30 days at 20% concentration of vermicompost plot of Red pepper  (Capsicum annuum)   a  plant height of average 16.6cm was recorded  while that of chemical fertilizer showed the same  plant a height of 14.8cm . Control plot (without any application)  showed 10.9cm height . At 60 days the inorganic fertilizer applied  at 20% dose showed  29.2cm plant height and in vermicompost applied plots at the same concentration dose, 33.4cm of plant height, was the result.  Applying these products on vegetable farms using water  along the river banks of River Benue directly and indirectly  brings to attention the uncontrollable habit of settlers along river  banks especially in the refuse discharge and defeacation  which compromises the water and  the quality of products of  the farms .  Work carried out  in Delhi University in 2009 showed that the amount of fecal matter in river water  increased exponentially  as  Central Pollution Control Board CPCB  came out with its findings. The amount of Fecal coliform (FC) – bacteria (anaerobic , nonsporulating, rod-shaped bacteria that produce acid and gas from the fermentation of lactose sugar: e.g., Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Klebsiella pneumoniae ) available in human and animal feaces – has grown by as much as 30 times as compared to CPCB values. Vegetables grown on Yamuna bed in east and south Delhi are already known to have high FC . The work done on river Benue at intake in the greater water works  project showed the value of coliform bacteria as high as 1800  Beetseh and Adulugba (2013) .  Many millions of microorganisms ( though most are harmless  in the human intestinal tract)  are likely to carry pathogenic microbes. Coliforms are used as indicators of sewage pollution; a high coliform count usually indicates recent sewage pollution. implicating the vegetable production on the river bank  which on consumption  can bring one down with severe intestinal problems like  blood infections, stomach upsets and kidney dysfunction .The application of modern farming system innovations in the study area by the farmers will be difficult since majority of them are illiterates  Dam, P. D. ( 2012  ) especially in the use of proper toilet systems . According to the same Delhi University 2009 report mentioned earlier the probable partial solution is to allow for the growth of   water hyacinth, which  absorbs contaminants and vegetables to be repeatedly washed and  cooked. Raw vegetables on these river banks should be avoided .

Keywords Vegetables , Fertilizer , River bank Vermicompost and Farming .