COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF COMPOSTED COW AND GOAT WASTES ON VIGNA UNGUICULATA GROWTH AND YIELD

Abstract

ARSTRACT Organic solid wastes constitute nuisance in most urban cities and often pose serious management problems. Composting the biomass is a safe form of managing and recovering nutrients from it. Ruminant wastes are good precursors of composting, yet there are gaps in knowledge of its characteristic and fertigative capacity in Nigeria.Therefore, this study was designed to compare the effects of ruminant wastes from goat and COW including their combination on composting and to assess its fertilizer capacity using cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), Grab samples of organic wastes generated were collected at Bodija market and weighed in the ratio 3:1 on wet basis (organic Solid wastes to ruminant waste). An aerobic windrow method was used in the composting process. The physical and chemical characteristics measured include: temperature changes, p11 and moisture contents, Carbon(C), Nitrogen(N), Potassium(K), Phosphorous(P). Six treatment of compost-manure were obtained; Goat Manure with market waste (GM), Cow Manure with market waste {CM), combination with equal proportions of Cow and Goat manure with market wage (CGM), Market waste (MW), Inorganic fertilizer NPK 15:15:15 and Soil Only (SO), The growth and yield of cowpea was assessed for Plant height (using meter rule), stem diameter (using vemier caliper), and number of leaves (determined by counting), two to eight weeks after sowing on pot soil experiment using complete randomized design, Mean number of pods per plant and seed per pod was recorded. Microbial analysis by prate count culturing was carried out on the ruminant waste. The NPIS were compared with Ontario compost guideline limits. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA al 5% level of significance. The pH, temperature and moisture content of the composts ranged between 6.5-8.3, 30t-61°C, and 30-63% respectively. Chemical constituent of raw organic wastes and the 00.06+0.07 and 21.06-2,0.05%1 Nitrogen (1.2340.02 compost from CGM include: carbon (40.06±0.07 and 21.06±0.05%). Potassium (6.39±0.03 and 5.21±0.03) Phosphorous (1.33±0.07 and 0.64±0.03%), while that of CM and GM after treatments were carbon (20.86±0.06 and I 9.43±0.04%). Nitrogen (0.71±0.04 and 0.65±0.04%), Potassium (6.08±0.04 and 7.78±0.05%), Phosphorous (0.83±0.04 and 0.93±0.07). Concentrations of NPK in the compost (0.64%, 0.88% and 7.87%) were high compared to the ontario compost guidelines limits (0.6%, 0.3% and 0.2%), Mean plant height post treatment in CGM (83.75±2.9 I cm)was higher than in CM and GM (70.31±-2.77 and 74.13±2.97cm) (p<0.05). Numbeof leaves showed no significant difference across the treatment groups. Post hoc test showed significance difference the stem diameter in CGM (6.89±1.31cm) compared with SO, GM and OW (6.05±1.29cm, 6.28±1.30cm and 6.28±1.28cm) respectively. There was no statistical difference in the mean number of pods per plant and seeds per pod, though CGM gave the highest mean(12.8±0.5 and 6.5±0.2). The major microorganisms isolated were pseudomonas Sp (8.8×10⁷ and 1.6×10⁸), and Staphylococcus sp (5.8x I0⁷ and 4.1×10⁸cfugˡ) in goat and cow wastes respectively). Mixture of cow, goat and organic wastes enhanced yield of cowpea better than other treaments. Therefore, composting of ruminants and market wastes should be promoted for improved sanitation to ensure environmental safety. Keyword: Organic waste, Cow manure, Goal Manure, vigna unigunculata Word count:495