Rice Husk Dust and NPK Improve Soil Chemical Properties and Growth Response of Jatropha

Abstract

The present study investigated the combined effect of rice husk dust (RHD) (0.1.2.3.4 and 5 ton ha-1) and NPK 10:10:10 fertilizer (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 ton ha-1) arranged factorially in Randomized Complete Block Design(RCBD)on selected soil fertility indices (pH, organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable bases, exchangeable acidity and effective cation exchange capacity) and growth parameters of Jatropha (number of leaves, plant height, number of branches and stem girth) in an ultisol of southeastern Nigeria. Results showed significant (P<0.05) improvement in all soil chemical properties and growth parameters of plant compared to control which had no treatment. However, the effects varied with treatment levels and interactions. While the effects increased with rate of application, interactions consistently showed superior effect on all parameters studied. Thus, combining rice husk dust (RHD) and NPK may increase the soil fertility and growth of Jatropha. Treatments combination of5tonha-1 RHD and 3tonha-1 NPK and 5tonha-1 RHD and 5tonha-1 NPK relatively gave the most appreciable result in soil chemical properties and growth of Jatropha respectively, thus are recommended.