IJSRP, Volume 5, Issue 9, September 2015 Edition [ISSN 2250-3153]
Etukudo, Mbosowo. M, Hamilton-Amachree, A, Uwem, Ifiok N
Abstract:
Studies were conducted to examine the elemental and proximate contents of Amaranthus hybridus L. in soil supplemented with cassava peel of varied time treatment. Compost were prepared by mixing sectioned cassava peels with 2kg of sandy-loam soil and maintained for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks alongside a control (0) containing 2kg of sandy loam soil without cassava peel. The contents of Ca, P, K, Na, and Mg significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increase in composting time of cassava peel. Similarly, higher contents of Ca, P, K, Na and Mg were recorded in leaf of A. hybridus in treatment with higher composting time of cassava peel compared to treatments with lower composting time and the control. The leaf proximate contents in A. hybridus significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increase in the composting time of cassava peel. This result suggests that a longer duration of composting time is necessary for optimum biodegradation, increased nutrients contents and reduced inhibitory substances in cassava peel manure.