Agro–industrial Effluents And Agricultural Wastes Effects On Soil Chemical Properties And Yield Of Okro (Abelmosclus esculentus l. Moench)

Abstract

The effects of agro-industrial wastes and poultry manure on soil organic matter pH and total N and on the yield of okra was carried out in the green house of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU). The agro-industrial wastes (palm oil mill effluents, cassava mill effluents, and sawdust) were applied at five levels of concentration (0,100, 200, 300 and 400 grammes per 10kg soil) and replicated three times. Soils were incubated after waste application for two weeks and then sown to Okro seeds. Soil chemical properties were analyzed six weeks after planting and results subjected to analysis of variance using a 4 x 5 factorial in completely randomized design. Significant treatment means were separated using FLSD 0.05. Organic matter, soil pH and total nitrogen increased in soils treated with poultry manure. But saw dust and cassava mill and palm oil mill effluent had no effect on total nitrogen. The industrial effluents had little effects on yield of okra, however, the use of poultry manure as an agricultural amendment, gave better boost in the yield of the okro plant than the effluents from the industrial waste.

Keywords: agro-industrial effluents, soil acidity, organic matter, okro              yield, sawdust