The Effects of Malasses Wastewater on Common Bean Yields in Acid Soils of Kenya
Keywords:
soil acidity, wastewater, lime, biogas effluent, common bean cropAbstract
Muhoroni Agro-Chemicals and Food Company produces approximately 1.2 million litres of wastewater per day that empties into River Nyando. The wastewater discharged is not environmentally friendly and calls for proper treatment and disposal modalities. The study explored disposal of the wastewater by formulation of organic fertilizer and using it to reverse soil acidity. The fertilizer was used to grow common bean crop. Both field and greenhouse experiments were conducted for two seasons at Chepkoilel Campus, Moi University, Eldoret. Soil samples taken during cropping seasons were used to determine changes in soil chemical properties. After harvesting, the grain yields and economic analysis of treatments were done. Important results of the study were that combination of wastewater, biogas effluent, lime produced the highest increase in soil pH of over 1.2 units in both seasons. It also registered the highest increase in overall grain yields by over 250% in both seasons over the control and posted highest net profit of over US$ 416. The soil organic carbon and calcium increased by over 0.3 Cmol/kg while Olsen phosphorus increased by over 10 ppm in treatments with lime. Therefore, the organic fertilizer formulated is suitable in acidic soils.
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This work is patented. The Patent number is KE/P/2009/000971.
