Abstract:
A pot experiment was conducted to check the effect of Palm oil mill effluent (POME) on the
growth and yield of Amaranthus caudatus at the Faculty of Agriculture, Kogi State University,
Anyigba. There were four (4) treatments in the experiment -- 0m3
/ha, 30m3
/ha, 90m3
/h and
110m3
/ha. The treatments were replicated six (6) times. Amaranth seeds (variety NH536-1) were
raised in the nursery for two weeks before they were transplanted into plastic buckets (containing
10 kilogram of soil) and observed for a period of six (6) weeks. Growth and yield parameters
measured were plant height, number of leaves, stem girth, crown weight and total biomass. Data
collected were analyzed using ANOVA, means were separated using Fishers Least Square
Difference (F-LSD0.05). Result shows that Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) had a significant
effect on the plant height, yield of amaranth and plant nutrient uptake. At 6 WAT, number of
leaves had no significant effect. Also, at 4 and 6 WAT, stem girth also had no significant effect.
Significant differences were seen in the treatments, with T4 and T3 (110m3
/ha, 90m3
/ha
application rates) giving the highest in most of the growth and yield parameters tested. A
significant response was also observed in the plant nutrient uptake (N, P and K). Plant nutrient
uptake increased with increasing rates of POME. Therefore, application rates --110m3
/ha and
90m3
/ha of POME can be recommended for optimum amaranth production in the study area. |
