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Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Vol. 2(5) pp129-135,August 2011
Available online Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/journal/?a=journal&id=jabs
Copyright ©2011 Global Research Journals.
Full Length Research.
EFFECT OF DECOMPOSED RICE HUSK DUST ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND YIELD OF MAIZE.
C. I. OKONKWOa, J.S.C.MBAGWUb,S.O.EGWUa and C.N.MBAHa
a Department of Soil Science and Environment Management, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
bDepartment of Soil Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Corresponding Author;s Email: cnmbah10@yahoo.com
Accepted 2nd July 2011.
| Abstract |
An experiment to monitor the effect of decomposed rice husk dust with urea fertilizer, Gliricidia sepium (GS) and poultry manure(PM) on soil physico-chemical properties and the yield of maize was conducted at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. The study was conducted using a randomized complete block design. Bulk density was significantly reduced with application of rice husk dust (decomposed and undecomposed) with the lowest bulk density of 1.04g cm-3 obtained in plots amended with undecomposed rice husk dust (URHD). The total porosity, gravimetric moisture content and infiltration rate were signifiantly ( P=0.05) increased relative to the control with the application of rice husk dust . Results of the study showed increased soil pH , organic matter, total N, available P and the exchangeable cations in amended plot relative to the control. The highest soil N of 1.26g kg-1 N was obtained in plots amended with DRHD+GS, while available P was highest in the DRHD+PD amended plots (28.04mg kg-1). Observed improvement in soil physical and chemical properties in amended plots resulted in higher plant height,shoot dry weight and grain yield compared to the control.
Keywords: Rice husk dust, Bulky density, Porosity, Infiltration.