EFFECTS OF PROCESSED WASTE FEATHERS ON THE CONTROL OF WEED AND CROP ENHANCEMENT

Abstract

Management of waste feathers in Nigeria is of great concern due to large quantities generated daily. For instance, in Ibadan over 30,000 birds are slaughtered daily by two poultry industries generating large quantity of feathers, these feathers continue to end up in landfills and open dumpsites polluting the environment. Feathers contain 91% fibrous protein which is very difficult to degrade naturally due to numerous cross-linkages in the structure. Information on processing waste feathers for enhancing crop growth has not been well documented. This study was therefore aimed at assessing the effect of processed waste leathers on weed growth and crop enhancement. The study design was experimental and laboratory based, using maize as test crop. Waste chicken feathers obtained from a poultry industry were washed, air-dried, ground into bits, then analysed for nitrogen, phosphor and potassium contents. Eighty grams feather-bits were mixed with 27g of glycerol plasticiser at 65°C to obtain a paste, then pressed for ten minutes into flattened organic mulch. Twenty-four 14cm diameter pots of 1.5 liters capacity were obtained and divided into six groups of four replicates each in a completely randomized design. Groups A, B and C, were controls and D, E, F, were experimental groups. One kilogramme sieved soil was placed in each pot. Maize seeds weeds, were planted in groups A and D, seeds of Corchorus olitorius ("Ewedu") being used as weeds, were planted in groups B and E, while Maize and "ewedu" were both planted in groups C and F. Surfaces of the soil in the experimental groups were covered with feather mulch while control groups were not mulched. All pots were sprinkled with water daily. Growth of weed and crop were measured for 28 days using flexible measuring tape. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and student t-test. About 4980Kg of feathers are generated daily from two industries (0.166Kg or 8.52% by mass per chicken). Feathers contained 14.1% nitrogen, 0.2% phosphorus and 0.6% potassium. Mean length of maize shoots in group D (mulched) showed significant increase (p< 0.01) on day 8 at 3.3±0.1cm against 3.1 ±0.1cm for control group A, while mean length of leaves showed significant increase (p< 0.05) on day 20 at 27.8 ± 2.2cm over control at 25.6 ±1.6cm. Mean length of maize shoots planted with weed in group F showed significant increase (p< 0.01) on day 4 at 1.6 ± 0.1cm over control group C at 1.5±0.1cm, and significant increase (p< 0.01) in mean length of leaves on day 6 at 8.1 ±0.5cm against 6.1±0.4cm for control. There was zero weed growth by day 28 in groups E and F with mulch against control groups B and C showing 6.78 ±0.1cm and 5.8 ±0.1 cm respectively as mean length of shoots of weeds. The mulch totally controlled weed growth by 100% and increased growth of maize shoot and leaves by 71.1% and 61.9% respectively. Organic mulch made from processed waste feathers was effective in weed control and crop enhancement. Therefore, it can be a useful strategy for waste management.