Kinetics Studies of Nitrogen Release by Lixisols, Plinthosols and Acrisols Amended with Modified Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) Empty Fruit Bunch

Authors: Ekebafe, O.M., Ikyaahemba, T.P. And Ekebafe, O.L.

DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8094895

ABSTRACT

The quest for organic products globally has necessitated the appropriate use of organic wastes that are nutrients-enriching and safe. Hence, this study evaluated the use of four amendments (raw, composted and pyrolyzed oil palm empty fruit bunch as modified forms and NPKMg fertilizer), applied at the rate of 75 kg K ha^-1 and their effects on the nitrogen release characteristics in three soil types (Lixisol, Plinthosol and Acrisol). The research was carried out at the Ohosu experimental station of Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Edo State, Nigeria between November 2018 and December 2019. The field experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Oil Palm seedlings of ages 3 and 12 months were planted, soil samples were collected and analyzed for NO₃^- and NH₄⁺ - nitrogen release monthly. Data collected were subjected to kinetics models (Lagergren pseudo first order, Pseudo second order and Elovich), Analysis of Variance and regression analysis. Treatment means were separated using Least Significant Difference (p<0.05). Results showed that Acrisol treated with compost had the highest NO₃^- and NH₄⁺ - N release of 1400 mg/kg. The kinetics of NO₃^- , NH₄⁺-N -release fitted most to the pseudo second order model for Lixisol and Plinthosol treated with compost, and Lixisol treated with biochar. The kinetics followed pseudo first order model for Acrisol treated with compost. The study observed that treatments and fertilizers had significantly increased the concentration of mineral nitrogen (NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- nitrogen) in soil due to net mineralization.

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