Evaluation of the agronomic potentials of swine waste as a soil amendment

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the agronomic potentials of different rates of swine waste on soil properties, maize growth and yield. Four rates of swine waste namely 0, 7, 13 and 27 t ha-1 were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, South East Nigeria. Oba super 11 hybrid maize was planted to a depth of 5 cm in the prepared beds at a spacing of 25 cm by 75 cm (inter and intra row spacing, respectively). Soil samples were collected from the top soil at a depth of 0 to 15 cm before and 2 weeks after the application of the swine waste. The obtained results showed that the application of different rates of swine waste significantly altered the chemical properties of the soil. The concentration of the exchangeable bases (calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium) was increased, while exchangeable acidity and cation exchange capacity significantly decreased at a rising rate of swine waste application. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in soil pH, cation exchange capacity, organic matter content, total nitrogen, organic carbon, available phosphorus, base saturation, bulk density and moisture content among the treatments. The mean plant height at harvest and maize grain yield increased relative to the control treatment. Generally, swine waste was found to be an effective soil amendment in improving the soil properties, growth and yield of maize. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]