Effects of palm oil mill effluent on some soil chemical properties and the growth of maize (Zea mays L.).

Abstract

A greenhouse study was conducted at the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria to evaluate the effect of palm oil mill effluent on some soil chemical properties and the growth of maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design with three replicates. Five rates of the effluent-0, 50, 100, 150 and 200g/2kg of soil were used. Results revealed that the effluent had effects on some of the soil chemical properties. Soil N, P, K, Mg, Ca, organic carbon, exchangeable acidity and Na increased with effluent application while soil pH and available P were reduced. The effluent did not influence the soil texture. The growth of maize and nutrients uptake were depressed in the treated soils compared to the control.