Structural Dynamics and Productivity of a Paleudult Amended with Agro - Wastes in Abakaliki, Southeast Nigeria

This research was conducted in 2015, 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons in the Department of Soil Science and Environmental Management, Ebonyi State University Research Farm to determine the effect of agro-wastes on soil structural dynamics, productivity and maize grain yield. Treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments replicated five times. The treatments were: burnt rice mill dust, unburnt rice mill dust, sawmill dust and control (non-application of amendment) applied at 20 t ha-1. Auger and core soil samples were collected and used for the determination of soil chemical and physical properties, respectively. The highest significant bulk density values of 1.60, 1.68 and 1.68 Mg m-3 were observed in the control plots whereas the lowest bulk density of 1.53, 1.55 and 1.55 Mg m-3 were found in burnt rice mill dust (BRMD) amended plots in 2015, 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons. The order of increase in aggregate stability in 2015 and 2016 was Control < Sawmill dust < Unburnt rice mill dust < Burnt rice mill dust plots whereas in 2017 the order of increase was Control < Sawmill dust < Burnt rice mill dust. Control recorded the lowest mean weight diameters (MWD) of 2.66, 2.66 and 2.53 mm in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively whereas MWD in the amended plots was Burnt rice mill dust > Unburnt rice mill dust > Sawmill dust for 2015, 2016 2017. Control plots recorded the lowest maize grain yield of 2.09, 2.08 and 2.07 t ha-1 in 2015, 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons whereas burnt rice mill dust plots recorded the highest maize grain yield of 2.27 t ha-1 in 2015 cropping; both burnt and unburnt rice mill dust recorded the highest maize grain yield of 2.24 and 2.23 t ha-1 in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons, respectively. Thus, agro-wastes such as rice mill wastes are recommended for improvement of soil structural properties, productivity, and increase in maize grain yield in the study area.