The Application of Eggshell and Fruit Peels as Soil Amendment on the Growth Performance and Yield of Corn ( Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Organic materials from processed crops and animals can be applied to enhance soil fertility. Kitchen waste such as eggshell and fruit peels contained macro and micronutrient that are essential for plant growth and development. This research focuses on investigating the effects of eggshell powder and fruit peel as a soil amendment on the growth performance and yield of maize. Ground eggshell and different fruit peels such as banana, orange and pomegranate were mixed to produce a soil amendment. The experiment consists of four treatments; T1 (control), T2 (eggshell powder), T3 (fruit peels) and T4 (eggshell powder + fruit peels) with three replications arranged in RCBD. The overall growth performance increased throughout the planting period. The highest maize yield was recorded in T4 at 452.15 g. The soil pH in T3 and T4 increased from slightly acidic to neutral in the range of pH 7.44 to 7.51. This results from the high calcium content in the eggshell and phosphorus as well as potassium content in the fruit peels. This study proves that the eggshell and fruit peel can be feasibly used as a soil amendment and pH regular for improving and sustaining soil nutrient level thus fertility.