Influence of Treated POME Sludge Vermicomposting on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Maize Growth Performances

Abstract

Background: Transforming the abundance of palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge into beneficial substances such as an organic amendments is vital in the recycling of waste. Vermicomposting from treated POME sludge (TPS) was evaluated on the effect of soil physicochemical properties, crop performances and to determine the best treatment effect on the biomass of the hybrid grain maize (Zea mays L.). Methods: The experimental layout was designed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The grain maize cultivated in Bungor series soil (Ultisol) comprising of (T1) control (NPK fertilizer), (T2) 1 kg of vermicompost, (T3) 2 kg vermicompost, (T4) 1 kg TPS and T5 (2 kg TPS) with six replications, for a period of 100 days from June to September 2019. Half of the NPK fertilizer dosage applied from the recommended practices. Result: The treatments with 50% reduction of NPK rate significantly (p<0.05) affected soil physicochemical properties. The dry matter production, crop performance analysis (net photosynthesis, stomata conductance and transpiration rate) and root weight density were also increased significantly using 2 kg of vermicompost treatment. Vermicompost application demonstrated the best treatment effect on soil properties and grain maize productivity. Utilization of POME sludge waste into organic amendment through vermicomposting approach would become very crucial practices to be adopted in reducing the abundance waste.