Efects of poultry manure on soil infltration, organic matter contents and maize performance on two contrasting degraded alfsols in southwestern Nigeria

This research work described the efect of organic waste (poultry manure) on soil cumulative infltration rate (CIR), soil organic matter (SOM), and maize performance on two contrasting alfsols of southwestern Nigeria.

Six treatments of poultry manure were applied in split at 0 Mg/ha, 2 Mg/ha, 4 Mg/ha, 6 Mg/ha, 8 Mg/ha, and 10 Mg/ha, in replicate under a completely randomized design to clay loam (CL) and sandy clay loam (SCL) soils, at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after the initial application.

The results showed signifcant increases (P<0.05) in CIR, SOM, and maize performance compared to the control in both soils. Poultry manure at 10 Mg/ha recorded the highest SOM which was signifcantly (P<0.05) diferent from other application rates in both soils. The mean values for SOM in SCL were between 0.67 and 3.75% for 0 Mg/ha and 10 Mg/ha, while the mean values recorded for CL were between 0.80 and 4.35% at 0 Mg/ha and 10 Mg/ha. Poultry manure reduced CIR in the SCL, but improved CIR with increasing rates on CL. Poultry manure at 4–10 Mg/ha increased the maize shoot biomass signifcantly (P<0.05). However, the application rate of 6 Mg/ha manure recorded the highest fresh shoot biomass, while 8 Mg/ha increased dry shoot biomass in both soils.

This study indicated that poultry manure applied at 10 Mg/ha gave the best results in improving CIR, SOM, and maize performance on diferent soil types.