Aladesida, A. A. and Dedeke, G. A. and Ademolu, K. O. and Museliu, F (2014) NUTRIENT ANALYSIS OF THREE EARTHWORM CAST-TYPES COLLECTED FROM IKENNE, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA. Journal of Natural Science, Engineering and Technology. pp. 36-43. ISSN 2315 - 7461
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Abstract
Three types of earthworm cast, i.e. pellet cast, turret cast and mass cast, were analysed for physicochemical characteristics, nutrient composition and compared with impact on soil fertility. The standard methods of AOAC was used to analyse the pH, moisture content, cast profile, cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, Cu and Zn), anions (P, PO4, NO4, NO3, N), Organic Carbon and Organic Matter. Pellet cast recorded a significantly higher pH of 8.60±0.01 while the mean pH of 8.09±0.01 and 7.81±0.01 were obtained for turret and mass cast respectively (p<0.05). On the other hand, pellet cast recorded the lowest moisture content (29.42%) compared with 45.60% and 47.19% obtained for mass cast and turret cast respectively. The % organic matter (1.05±0.02), % organic carbon (0.61±0.01), % Nitrite (0.008±0.001), % Nitrate (0.018±0.001), % Nitrogen (0.063±0.001) and % Phosphorus (0.39 ± 0.001) obtained for Pellet Cast were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those obtained for mass and turret casts. Pellet cast had higher Ca (11.04±2.80 mg/dL), Mn (113.08±38.45 mg/dL) and Zn (8.54±2.62 mg/dL) than turret (9.64±0.77, 77.0±17.02, 6.68±1.65 mg/dL) and mass cast types (4.54±0.25, 19.12±6.82, 2.04±0.70) mg/dL). This study indicated that pellet cast has poor water holding capacity whereas it has higher nutrient concentration compared with mass and turret casts. On the overall, pellet cast, mass cast and turret cast all played synergistic role in soil fertility.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Earthworm casts, moisture content, nutrient composition, organic matter, soil fertility |
| Subjects: | Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Mrs Hannah Akinwumi |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Feb 2017 13:09 |
| Last Modified: | 22 Feb 2017 13:09 |
| URI: | http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/7827 |
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