The Effects of Rubber Effluent on Some Chemical Properties of Soil and Early Growth of Maize (<em>Zea Mays</em> L.)

Abstract

A preliminary pot trial was conducted in a greenhouse to determine the effects of rubber effluent on some soil chemical properties as well as growth and nutrient uptake by maize plant. The levels of rubber effluent used were 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 ml per 2 kg soil. The trial was organized in a completely randomized design and replicated three times. Result showed that the soil pH, organic carbon, N, P, K, Mg, Ca Na, ECEC, Fe, Mn and Zn were significantly higher (p<0.05) in rubber effluent treated soils than the control, while the control was significantly higher in exchangeable acidity. Zn, the N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Mn content and their uptake by the plant were significantly higher (p<0.05) in rubber effluent treated plant than the control. The plant height, leaf area and number of leaves were also significantly higher in effluent treated plants than the control. The N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na content and their uptake and the growth parameters however declined at 200 ml treatment, while in Fe, Mn and Zn content and their uptake there was no definite pattern of increase with increasing effluent levels. 

Keywords: Rubber effluent, maize, nutrient uptake, soil, greenhouse