TY - EJOUR
AU - Unagwu, Benedict O.
AU - Igwemmadu, M O
AU - Osadebe, Vivian O.
PY - 2023
DA - November
TI - Cow bone meal applications: Changes in physicochemical properties of a degraded coarse-textured soil and cucumber performance
T2 - International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture
L1 - https://oiccpress.com/international-journal-of-recycling-of-organic-waste-in-agriculture/article/cow-bone-meal-applications-changes-in-physicochemical-properties-of-a-degraded-coarse-textured-soil-and-cucumber-performance/
DO - 10.30486/ijrowa.2023.1968757.1544
N2 - Purpose: Degraded soils are associated with low organic matter and nutrient contents, which limit their productive capacity to produce sufficient food. Improving the productivity of degraded soils is key to achieving sustainable food production and tackling global food crises. Method: A study was carried out between September 2021 to March 2022 in a greenhouse at the University of Nigeria Nsukka Teaching and Research Farm to evaluate effect of cow bone meal (CBM) application on soil physicochemical properties and performance of cucumber grown on a degraded coarse-textured soil. The study treatments were: CBM10 (CBM at 10 t ha-1; equivalent to 22 g per 5 kg soil), CBM20 (CBM at 20 t ha-1; equivalent to 44 g per 5 kg soil), and NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer applied at recommended rate 150 kg ha-1 (0.33 g per 5 kg soil) and control. Results: CBM treatments application had remarkable positive effects on the soil physicochemical properties as well as on cucumber performance. Relative to the initial soil status, CBM application increased organic C by 139 -179%; available P by 388-396% and total N by 78-111%. Summarily, CBM20 treatment outperformed NPK fertilizer treatment on the measured soil parameters and cucumber performance, while CBM10 treatment had comparable effects with NPK treatment. Conclusion: The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of CBM in improving the physicochemical properties of a degraded soil. Further research work (under field conditions) is required to validate the findings of this study prior to practical implementation by end users.   Highlights Cow bone meal (CBM) application had significant positive effects on most of the cucumber performance parameters such as cucumber vine length, number of cucumber leaves and biomass yield. Overall, CBM  treatments application had more pronounced effects on cucumber fruit yield than on plant vegetative growth. Treatments application significantly improved soil nutrients (NPK) and organic matter content relative to the control treatment. CBM treatments significantly lowered soil bulk density by over 19% and increased soil hydraulic conductivity by 137-173% CBM treatments increased the soil pH by over 15%, total by N 78-111%, available P by 388-396% and soil organic carbon by 139 -179% relative to control treatment. 
PB - OICC Press
KW - Degraded soil, Physicochemical properties, Yield performance, Cow bone meal 
EN -