Transforming typha biomass into an eco-friendly organic fertilizer for sustainable typha management in Nigeria

Abstract

Soil fertility decline and the spread of invasive Typha domingensis are major agricultural and ecological challenges in northern Nigeria. Farmers rely heavily on costly synthetic fertilizers to address nutrient depletion on their farms, while Typha invasion disrupts wetlands, reduces arable land, and intensifies resource conflicts. Transforming Typha biomass into organic compost offers a dual solution by sustainably managing invasive stands and providing an eco-friendly, low-cost fertilizer. This study evaluated the comparative effects of Typha compost, cow dung, and a control on the growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) under controlled conditions. Soil analysis revealed a sandy loam texture with low organic carbon (0.182%) and weak nutrient retention capacity, underscoring the need for organic amendments. Germination rate was significantly highest (p<0.05) under Typha compost (96.7%) followed by cow dung (80.0 %), and lowest in the control (23.3%). At four weeks, cow dung supported vigorous vegetative growth with the highest leaf and branch production, while Typha compost promoted balanced growth with comparable stem girth and plant height. Yield results demonstrated a clear advantage for Typha cmpost, which produced the highest number of pods (65.7% of total yield), compared with cow dung (28.1%) and the control (5.2%). These findings highlight the capacity of Typha compost to provide a steady nutrient release, supporting both vegetative and reproductive phases, and outperforming cow dung in yield contribution. Owing to the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that Typha compost represents a sustainable and cost-effective organic fertilizer, capable of restoring soil fertility and simultaneously addressing the ecological threat of Typha invasion. Its adoption can reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, lower production costs for smallholder farmers, and contribute to eco-friendly agricultural intensification in Nigeria.