Effects of Composted Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solm.) on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties and Performance of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Water Hyacinth (WH), is an invasive, problematic aquatic weed, which is always very difficult to control because of its high regenerative nature. Utilisation of WH for compost production could reduce its abundance and menace on water bodies. Composted WH could enhance soil nutrients and improve crop yield, especially in maize, an important staple in Nigeria. However, information on its use in maize production is minimal. Therefore, the use of WH as compost and its effects on performance of maize and soil physical and chemical properties were investigated. WH was harvested, air-dried and mixed with poultry droppings, cattle dung, swine faeces in ratio 3:1 by weight, to produce Water Hyacinth based Poultry-compost (WHP), Water Hyacinth based Cattle-compost (WHC) and Water Hyacinth based Swine-compost (WHS) using agitated pile method. On the field, seeds of BR-9943-DMR-SR-W maize were sown, each compost or NPK15:15:15 fertilizer was applied at 120 and 150 kg N/ha to maize using Randomized Complete Block Design (r=3). Unamended soil (which received no fertilizer or manure application) served as control. Plant Height (PH-cm) and Plant Biomass (PB-g/ha), Grain Yield (GY-t/ha) were determined. Pre- and post-trial analyses of Total Nitrogen (TN-g/kg) and Organic Matter (OM-g/kg) were carried out using standard procedures. Data were analysed using ANOVA at ?0.05. On the field, PH of 245.63±7.14 (WHP150) was significantly higher than 221.30±1.92(NPK150), 219.11±6.91(WHS120) and 200.10±8.05 (unamended). The PB of 387.03±129.14(WHP150) was significantly higher than 260.36±87.26(NPK150) and 211.86±71.99 (unamended). The GY of 2.95±0.26 (WHP120) was significantly higher than 1.99±0.14 (NPK150),2.10±0.32 (WHC150),2.24±0.37 (WHS150) and 1.57±0.31 (unamended). Pre-trial TN and OM were 0.50 and 10.20, while post-trial values were, 2.00 and 30.06 (WHP120) and 0.30 and 9.46 (unamended), respectively. Water hyacinth combined with animal manure produced substantial amount of compost. Water hyacinth- poultry dropping compost enhanced maize growth and grain yield.