Influence of Swine Wastes Rates on Selected Soil Physical Properties and Cultivation of Amaranthus in Awka, South East- Nigeria

Environmental threats most times occur due to indiscriminate disposal of swine wastes into the environment however effective disposal of these waste materials into the soil as an amendment for vegetable production remains a vital solution for the challenge. This research investigated different application rates of swine wastes on selected soil physical properties and cultivation of Amaranthus in Awka. The research was conducted at the Soil Science and Land Resources Management Research and Teaching Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka- Nigeria. The field experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Soil samples were taken from each plot with core samplers undisturbed and randomly and was taken to the laboratory for soil physical analysis prior to the application of treatment. The treatment used was swine wastes at rates of 0 kg/plot (zero application), 4.5 kg/plot, 9.0 kg/plot and 13.5 kg/plot. The test crop used was Amaranthus hybridus. The results obtained from the laboratory were subjected to statistical analysis and the treatment means were separated using Turkey test at 5% probability level. The results showed that the soils of the studied area was sandy loam. There was a significant difference in bulk density when the soil treated with 9.0 kg/plot was compared with 0 kg/plot (zero application) and it ranged from 1.75-1.97 g/cm3 , the total porosity of soil in the studied area was significant when the soils treated with 9.0 kg/plot was compared with 0 kg/plot (zero application) and this ranged from 23.5 - 29.59 %, the moisture content of soil in the studied area was significantly different when soils treated with 9.0 kg/plot was compared with 0 kg/plot (zero application) and it ranged from 1.95- 3.22 %. The aggregate stability of soils in the area studied ranged from 0.37- 0.44 %, hydraulic conductivity of soils in the studied area was in the range of 0.01- 0.05 cm/hr. From this research, it was observed that 13.5 kg/plot of swine wastes applied improved the yield of Amaranthus when compared to other treatment rates