Agriculture

An experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources management, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki in order to evaluate productivity of a degraded ultisol amended with different animal wastes in Abakaliki. The field was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD). There were four treatments viz poultry droppings (PD), Swine Waste (SW), Cow Dung (CD) and Control (C) applied at 12 ha-1, respectively. These treatments were replicated five times. Maize hybrid (Oba super II) and groundnut (Arachis hypogea) were used as test crops. Core and auger samples were collected at 0 – 20 cm depth before and after planting for pre and post planting soil properties determination. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separated with Fisher’s least significant difference. Results showed that bulk density, total porosity, moisture content, hydraulic conductivity, aggregate stability and mean weight diameter were significantly (P<0.05) higher in poultry droppings amended plots than in control. The texture of soil remained sandy loam. The studied chemical properties showed no significant treatments effect except magnesium that was significantly (P<0.05) higher in PD and CD amendments relative to control. Cow dung treatment significantly (P<0.05) depressed Na compared to control and other animal wastes amendments. Bulk density was lower by 5 and 7% under poultry droppings compared to cow dung and swine waste treatments. Total porosity and hydraulic conductivity were 9,7,4 and 11% higher in PD relative to cow dung and swine wastes amendments. Available P, total N and organic matter were higher under PD treatment by 8, 17, 18, 12, 17 and 27% compared to SW and CD amended plots, respectively. Maize grain and groundnut yields significantly (P<0.05) increased in all animal wastes amended plots relative to control. Animal wastes enhanced physical properties of soil and yields of crops more than chemical ones. Poultry droppings that proved more superior compared to others could be recommended for improving productivity of a degraded soil in the study area.