Browsing by Author "Mgbeahuru, Chibuihem I"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Effect of spent mumshoo mushroom substrate on selected soil properties and performance of upland rice in Owerri , Imo State Nigeria
    (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-02) Mgbeahuru, Chibuihem I
    Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS) is a type of organic amendment found to be a good nutrient source for crop production mainly because of its rich nutrient status and slow mineralization rate which retains its rich nutrient as an organic amendment. This research work was carried out at the Centre for Agricultural Research and Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).It investigated the effect of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on some selected soil properties and performance of upland rice in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The experiment was evaluated using five treatments at rates of SMS 0 t/ha (control 1), NPK 300 kg/ha (control2), SMS 5 t/ha, SMS 10 t/ha and SMS 15 t/ha and were incorporated into the soil two weeks before planting; the treatments were replicated three times in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD).The field measured 13 m by 6.5 m; each plot measuring 2 m by 1.5 m with a 0.5 m alley between plots. The SMS treatment was sourced from a mushroom farm located at Aba in Aba North Local Government Area, Abia State and at Irete in Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State while NPK was sourced from the Imo State Agricultural Development Project (ADP).The test crop used was FARO 56/NERICA 2 upland rice variety sourced from the Imo ADP; rice plants were sown at spacing of 30 cm ×30 cm. Soil samples were collected at depth of 0-20cm using soil core attached to soil auger; a sample was collected from each plot and analysed for physico-chemical properties of moisture content, bulk density, total porosity, particle size distribution, pH, organic carbon and matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable aluminum, hydrogen, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, total exchangeable bases, total exchangeable acidity, effective cation exchange capacity, percentage base saturation, C/N, Ca/Mg and Na/K and the presence of chromium, lead, cadmium and mercury. Samples were analyzed at pre-planting, at the end of vegetative growth (100 days after planting) and at harvest. The growth parameters measured were: plant height, root weight, leaf area and number of tillers; yield parameters include: filled grain, unfilled grain, total grain yield, percentage unfilled grain and percentage filled grain. Data collected was subjected to both laboratory and statistical analysis. Laboratory analysis was carried out in the Soil Science Laboratory of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri while statistical analysis was carried out using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means separated with the Fisher’s Least Significance Difference (F-LSD) at (p=0.05). Results obtained revealed that soil of the study area was predominantly sandy. Moisture content (9.33%) was highest in SMS 15 t/ha and varies significantly from moisture content values of control plot (7.40) and NPK treated plots (7.49). Bulk Density was lowest in NPK treated plots (1.40 g/cm3 ). Basically, SMS treated plots recorded significant increase in soil physico-chemical properties with increase in application rate when compared with control and NPK treated plots, except in exchangeable acidity where it significantly reduced with increased rate of application of SMS. Similar trend on physico-chemical properties were observed in values at harvest, but values at harvest recorded a decline in value compared with values at the end of vegetative growth (100 days after planting) except in total porosity which increased due to the relationship with bulk density on the soil. Lower values obtained at harvest could be attributed to nutrient uptake by plants during vegetative growth. Spent Mushroom Substrate recorded negligible values of mercury, lead, chromium and cadmium which were below permissible limits of heavy metals in the soil both at the end of vegetative growth and at harvest; hence, will not limit soil productivity. The application of SMS positively affected the growth and yield of the test crop used when compared with control and NPK plots, except in root weight where SMS 15 t/ha was statistically equal to control plots; other SMS rates were also statistically equal to NPK treated plots; this could be attributed to high content of sodium (salt) which may have inhibited good root development. All rates of SMS applied during the experiment significantly improved soil physico-chemical properties and the performance of upland rice. Spent Mushroom Substrate 10 t/ha was seen as the best application rate suitable for the performance of upland rice; hence, it is recommended to farmers in the study area for yield improvement of upland rice production without adversely affecting human health both farmers and consumers.