Effects of compost application on remediation and the growth of maize planted on lead contaminated soil

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in 2008 and 2009 to test for the effects of Mexican Sunflower (SW) and Cassava waste (CW) composts as well as inorganic fertilizer on the growth of maize planted on lead contaminated soil. Different application rates of 0t/ha, 20t/ha and 40t/ha were used for the two types of compost while inorganic fertilizer and 0t/ha were used as checks. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates. It was observed that compost application increased significantly the vegetative and yield parameters of maize and performed better than inorganic fertilizer (P<0.05). Higher dose (40t/ha) of MSW compost gave the highest plant height, dry matter yield, leaf area and grain yield. More importantly, the experiment shows that there was a reduction in the final concentration of lead in soils of all the compost treated plots by 50-70%. Though, application of compost did not restrict the uptake of lead by the maize crop the concentrations were lower than those of control and inorganic fertilizer plants. Higher concentrations were also detected in the root than other plant parts. This method of remediation could be recommended for restoration of lead contaminated sites.